Does Virginia require a grace period for late fees?

Yes, Virginia law requires a 5-day grace period (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(E)). No late fee can be charged during this period.

Free Tool

Virginia Late Fee Calculator

Q: What is the maximum late fee in Virginia?

The statutory maximum late fee in Virginia is $150.00 on a rent of $1,500.00 — 10% of the amount past due (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(E)). Rent is late if not paid by the 5th day of the period. Cap: the LESSER of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance due. The fee must be in a written lease.

Calculate the maximum late fee you can legally charge in Virginia. Check grace periods, fee caps, and compliance with Virginia state law.

State

Monthly Rent

Days Late

Your Proposed Fee

Your Late Fee

$75.00

Compliant

Your proposed fee of $75.00 is within Virginia's statutory maximum of $150.00 (10% of the amount past due).

Rent + Fee

$1,575.00

Grace Period

5 days (required)

Statutory Maximum in Virginia

$150.00

Virginia Late Fee Law

Grace period: 5 days (required by law)

Fee cap: $150.00 — 10% of the amount past due

Daily fees: Not typical

Statute: Va. Code § 55.1-1204(E)

Rent is late if not paid by the 5th day of the period. Cap: the LESSER of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance due. The fee must be in a written lease.

Laws change quietly. Colorado rewrote its late-fee rules in 2021, Connecticut in 2023. Get an email when Virginia changes its rules — and what to update in your lease.

Landlord Law Watch — $29/yr →

Next Step

Generate the late fee notice

Turn this calculation into a printable, Virginia-compliant notice you can send to your tenant today — with the statute reference included.

Your Name (Landlord)

Tenant Name

Property Address

Rent Due Date

Fill in the four fields above to generate your notice.

Get your state’s late fee rules + a compliant notice template

Grace periods, fee caps, and what makes a late fee unenforceable. Plus early access to Tenby.

This free tool is brought to you by Tenby — AI-powered property management for independent landlords. No sign-up required.

Try Tenby Free

Virginia Late Fee Rules for Landlords

Virginia requires a 5-day grace period before any late fee can be charged (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(E)). The late fee is capped by statute at 10% of the amount past due (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(E)).

Use the calculator above to check if your proposed late fee complies with Virginia law. Need more tools? Check the Virginia security deposit calculator, or try our prorated rent calculator and rent estimate tool.

For a complete guide to Virginia landlord-tenant law, read our Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law 2026 guide.