Does a low credit score count against me in Virginia?
If it comes from family abuse, the landlord must take that into account.
Why, and the exact law
You can show a letter from a domestic violence program, a HUD housing counselor or your lawyer, a police report or a court order.
From Va. Code § 55.1-1203, read Oct 6, 2026.Show the law
“A landlord shall consider evidence of an applicant's status as a victim of family abuse, as defined in § 16.1-228, to mitigate any adverse effect of an otherwise qualified applicant's low credit score …”
This page covers state law only. Cities with their own rules have their own pages.
Virginia lawIn force
Virginia family-abuse victim credit-score mitigation in tenant screening
Does a low credit score count against me?
If it comes from family abuse, the landlord must take that into account.
You can show a letter from a domestic violence program, a HUD housing counselor or your lawyer, a police report or a court order.
In force since
2020
The law, word for word
“A landlord shall consider evidence of an applicant's status as a victim of family abuse, as defined in § 16.1-228, to mitigate any adverse effect of an otherwise qualified applicant's low credit score …”
Ban on adverse action for COVID-period payment history or nonpayment evictions
Can they turn me down for rent I missed during COVID-19?
No, if the landlord owns more than four units.
Unpaid rent or a nonpayment eviction from the COVID-19 emergency alone is no reason to deny you; a landlord who does can owe $1,000 plus attorney fees.
In force since
2020
The law, word for word
“A landlord who owns more than four rental dwelling units or more than a 10 percent interest in more than four rental dwelling units, whether individually or through a business entity, in the Commonwealth, shall not take any adverse action, as defined in 15 U.S.C. …”