Frequently Asked Questions

The only way for a tenant to be evicted is through the court process. A landlord does not have the right to discard your possessions or legally lock you out without first taking you to court.

The first step in the process is notification. Your landlord must notify you in writing of any breach in your lease.

1. Five Day Notice: Your landlord or property management company must first issue you a 5-day notice if you are behind in rent. If you are not able to pay rent within the 5-day notification period, your landlord can start the eviction process (Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1245F)  
2. Thirty Day Notice to Cure or Quit: If you have committed a lease violation that is remediable such as having an unauthorized pet, the landlord may issue you a 21/30 notice to mitigate and cure the offense. If the tenant has not mitigated the violation within the 21 days, the landlord can then move forward with filing the eviction lawsuit at the end of 30 days. Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1245A .
3. Thirty Day Unconditional Quit Notice: If you violate a lease or rental agreement and the violation cannot be remedied (such as causing major damage to the rental unit), then the landlord can give you a 30-day unconditional quit notice. The notice must specify the breach and state that you (tenant) must move at the end of the 30-day period, or the landlord will file an eviction lawsuit against you. Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1245C .
4. No Notice Necessary: The landlord is not required to give the tenant any kind of notice, if you commit a criminal or willful act that is not remediable and poses a threat to health or safety. This includes any illegal drug activity. The landlord can go straight to court and file an eviction lawsuit against you. Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1245C

Starting July 1, 2021, all landlords must provide tenants with a Statement of Tenant Right and Responsibilities developed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and posted on its website.  For the most current version of the act, please visit dhcd.virginia.gov/landlord-tenant-resources.

It is against the law for your landlord to lock you out of your home, turn off vital utility services, or deny or restrict access to services on the premises such as the pool, workout room, laundry room, etc.  If your landlord conducts any of these “self-help eviction” practices, please go to the General District Court clerk's office located at 150 St. Paul’s Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23510 and file Form DC-431 "Tenant's Petition for Relief from Unlawful Exclusion".

Yes! Renters should always communicate with their landlord or property management company if they are faced with the inability to pay rent. Landlords and property management companies that own more than four (4) rental properties cannot move forward with an eviction without offering up to 6 months for a repayment plan.  For complete details of your protections and responsibilities of you and your landlord, visit the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development at www.dhcd.virginia.gov.

If you have a court hearing, it is essential that you appear in court. If you do not appear in court, your landlord will automatically be granted possession of your residence.  

• Regional Housing Crisis Hotline: (757) 587-4202. Call if you are experiencing homelessness or received an Unlawful Detainer or Eviction Notice
• Simply dial 211 on your phone and ask for a listing of community resources.     

Residents who are experiencing financial and/ or employment hardships may contact community resources for free budget and financial counseling such as 

• BankOn Hampton Roads via email info@bankonhr.org or (757) 943-9652
• Norfolk Works Program at (757) 763-6064 for employment and job readiness opportunities
• Rent Ready Norfolk Renting Smart Academy to enroll in Renters Education Classes via email Rentready@norfolk.gov or (757) 664-RENT (7368)
• Resources757.Org to receive assistance for additional services.

In addition to the list of sources on our website, you can also contact:

• Legal Aid of Southeastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423 
• The Virginia Fair Housing Office:  (804) 367-8530 Toll Free: (888) 551-3247 TDD: 711 (Virginia Relay) Email: FairHousing@dpor.virginia.gov http://www.dpor.virginia.gov
• The Virginia Poverty Law Center: (804)782-9430
• Eviction Legal Helpline: 1-833-NoEvict. This hotline provides services for tenants in the process of being evicted or at risk of eviction

Yes, to receive assistance from the Norfolk Eviction Prevention program, an applicant must reside in the city of Norfolk, Virginia.

Please refer to our website   www.norfolk.gov/evictionprevention for the latest information on our program guidelines and online portal status. 

No, the Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center does not provide financial assistance to tenants who are not currently past due. 

Your landlord or property manager will be able to provide you with a current ledger.  If you would like to see an example, please click here.

No, we are unable to accept summary statements for utilities or rental ledgers.  An itemized ledger must be provided as well as utility bills for the last three months.

No, a lease must be signed by the tenant or tenants and the landlord or leasing agent.  We are unable to accept copies that are not signed and not dated.  Also, any changes made to the original lease must be initialed by the tenant and landlord.

Legible documents contain information that is clear and readable.  We are unable to accept documents that are blurry, have cut off images or text, or are severely damaged.

Submitting an online request with the Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center will not change your scheduled court case.  You must attend court to tell the judge about your efforts to resolve your past due balance and/or possibly make arrangements with your landlord.

You can request assistance only once in a twelve-month period.  The twelve-month period begins at the time payment is made to your landlord, not from the date you request assistance.  For example, if you request assistance in April 2024 and payment is made to your landlord in June 2024, you will not be eligible for assistance again until after June 2025.

No, the Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center does not assist with security deposits.