New Laws Effective July 1, 2025

Please be aware of the following changes to Virginia law that become effective Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Septic Inspections
HB 2671

  • Defines the minimum standard for what is included in a septic inspection for the purposes of a real estate transaction, including:
    • Who is authorized as an inspector
    • What authorized inspectors must inspect and report on, including all readily accessible and openable components (septic tanks, pump tanks, distribution devices, treatment units, control panels, and dispersal fields)
    • Inspectors must provide a written report within 10 days of their findings
  • The buyer and seller may still negotiate who will order the septic inspection
  • Rod and probe reports no longer meet the minimum requirements for inspection

Buyer Broker Representation
HB 1684/SB 1309

  • Requires licensees working with buyers and tenants to have a written agreement with that person before showing a property
  • This does not apply to listing agents or property managers who are contacted by an unrepresented buyer for a showing, only for agents working with the buyer or tenant
  • “Show a property” is also defined in the law

Aircraft Noise
HB 1706/SB 1210

  • Updates the Residential Property Disclosure Statement to include that the purchaser of a home has access to a website where information on aircraft noise from nearby airports is published

Purchaser’s Name
HB 2110

  • Prohibits owner associations from requiring a buyer’s name before preparing a resale certificate

Fees Charged to Licensees
HB 1653/SB 785

  • DPOR can no longer charge licensees a fee when they are transferring between different offices of the same firm
    • Example: If a licensee transfers from the principal office to a branch office, they will not pay a transfer fee

Deed Fraud
HB 2396/SB 1270

  • Orders the Virginia Housing Development Authority to convene a technical advisory group to identify the prevalence of deed fraud and develop recommendations for prevention and protection for property owners for such crimes
  • Findings and recommendations must be submitted by November 1, 2025

Rental Management
HB 2557/SB 993

  • Employees of licensed real estate brokers who manage rental properties are allowed to sign rental agreements, collect rent, and handle fair housing paperwork on behalf of the property owner

Rental Payment Methods
HB 2218/SB 1356

  • Prohibits landlords from charging a tenant any fee for the collection or processing of any payment of rent, security deposit, or any other fees, unless the landlord offers an alternative method of payment that does not include additional fees

Nonrenewal of a Lease
HB 1867/SB 1043

  • Landlords are required to provide written notice to any tenant whose rental agreement they have chosen not to renew

 More Information

For more information about changes to the law regarding septic system inspection requirements, visit RARealtors.com/SepticInspectionUpdate

For a comprehensive report on the 2025 General Assembly, view the 2025 RPAC General Assembly Report

Changes to the CVR MLS Purchase Agreement were necessitated by the legislative changes. For a summary of updates, see the CVR MLS Forms Revision Reference Guide included in the CVR MLS Updates for July 1, 2025.