NORFOLK, Virginia — An amendment to Virginia’s military lease law was finalized over the weekend, ensuring local landlords and property managers will no longer find themselves in hot water with the Department of Justice.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin brought Virginia’s military lease law into compliance with federal law over the weekend as he acted on 84 fast-tracked bills. The amendment removed the 35-mile requirement for early lease termination for military members — a stipulation that has resulted in at least one Virginia property management company being charged with violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Previously, Virginia law only allowed a lease termination for orders that moved service members 35 or more miles from their current residence. The state law conflicted with federal law, which places no mileage restrictions on a service member’s residential lease termination rights.
“This bill received the swift action it deserved,” Del. Jackie Glass said.
Glass, a Democrat representing part of Norfolk, introduced House Bill 352 in January, and it was passed by the House and the Senate about one month later. The House’s version was passed with an emergency clause, which meant the legislation would go into effect immediately upon the governor’s signature instead of the typical July 1 date.
“In regions like Hampton Roads, home to many of our military personnel, ensuring their tenant rights and protections are no…
