HB 1709 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Va. Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; landlord obligations, access of tenant to broadband services.

Summary

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord obligations; access of tenant to broadband services. Prohibits the landlord of a multifamily dwelling unit from accepting payment from a provider of broadband service for granting such provider mere access to the landlord's tenants or giving such tenants mere access to such service. The bill also prohibits a landlord from demanding or accepting payment from tenants in exchange for such a service unless the landlord itself is the provider of the service.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 4, 2025 Last action Feb 4, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → General Laws Subcommittee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original introduction to a committee substitute version, expanding its scope from just § 55.1-1222 to also include § 55.1-1208 (prohibited provisions in rental agreements). The core broadband access provisions remain largely similar, but the substitute version adds clearer enforcement language and requires landlords who provide their own services to conspicuously disclose tenant rights and list alternative service providers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include amendments to § 55.1-1208 in addition to § 55.1-1222, broadening the regulatory framework for landlord-tenant relationships.

SCOPE

The bill now amends two sections (§ 55.1-1208 and § 55.1-1222) instead of just one, integrating broadband access rules with broader prohibited rental agreement provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Landlords who are service providers must now conspicuously disclose in rental agreements that tenants can choose their own provider, list alternative providers with contact information, and separate service fees from rent.

ENFORCEMENT

Added explicit enforcement language stating that prohibited provisions in rental agreements are unenforceable and tenants can recover damages plus attorney fees if landlords try to enforce them.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'service provider' was slightly reorganized but remains substantively the same, covering cable, satellite, broadband, and related services.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 2-N)

lower

Jan 13, 2025

Committee

Assigned GL sub: Housing/Consumer Protection

lower

Jan 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws

lower

1 primary · 13 co-sponsors