Last month, I spoke with someone who was contemplating what to do with their inherited parents' house. Selling seemed uncertain due to the market, and leaving it vacant meant only incurring taxes and maintenance costs. Ultimately, they decided to rent it out, but the concerns faced by first-time landlords are generally similar. Questions about how much to charge, how to find tenants, and what to include in the lease can be overwhelming.

Let's start with rent pricing. According to Zumper, as of August 2026, the average rent in Centreville is $2,700 per month. For a 2-bedroom, it's around $2,348. Instead of sticking to these numbers, it's safer to look up about five similar listings in the same neighborhood and use the median value as a guideline. If the price is set too high, the vacancy period will be longer, and if it's too low, it results in a loss each month.

Once the price is set, the next step is finding tenants. Post listings on sites like Zillow, Apartment List, and Facebook Marketplace, and prepare several photos taken in natural light during the day. When inquiries start coming in, the next step is crucial: screening.

Tenant screening typically involves checking credit scores, verifying income, and reviewing previous rental history. Many landlords use a guideline of at least three times the monthly rent for income. It's important to avoid making judgments based solely on credit scores and income or using personal criteria to filter tenants. Consistently applying established criteria helps prevent issues later on.

The lease agreement must include the rent amount and due date, security deposit amount, pet policy, maintenance responsibilities, lease term, and renewal conditions. In Virginia, the maximum security deposit is set at two months' rent, and this amount must be held in an escrow account. After a tenant vacates, the remaining amount must be returned within 45 days along with a statement detailing any deductions.

Before the tenant moves in, it's advisable to conduct a condition check. Take photos of the walls, floors, and appliances, and confirm the condition with the tenant, getting their signature. This helps reduce disputes over the security deposit later. Since there is a 45-day return deadline, having documentation ready serves as a practical precaution.

If a tenant falls behind on rent, you cannot evict them immediately. According to Virginia landlord-tenant law, you must first send a 5-day payment demand notice, and only after that period can you proceed to the next steps. If the lease violation can be corrected, a 21-day or 30-day notice to cure is required; for more serious issues, a 30-day eviction notice must be issued.

If you want to raise the rent during the lease term, timing is also important. Virginia does not have specific rent increase regulations, but for month-to-month leases, written notice is required at least 30 days before the increase. If the landlord has more than four rental units and the lease includes an automatic renewal clause, a 60-day notice is also required.

Rental income is subject to tax reporting, so it's helpful to keep receipts for repairs and management costs organized from the start. Standard homeowners insurance often does not fully cover a rental property, so switching to a separate landlord insurance policy is also something to consider.

After the tenant moves in, maintenance requests like a broken boiler or leaking pipes are likely to arise. Designate a single point of contact for communication, and respond quickly to urgent issues, as this helps retain good tenants in the long run. For first-time landlords, all these procedures may feel unfamiliar. However, if you follow the steps in order, it won't be too difficult. Just remember that this article is intended for general informational purposes, and before signing any lease agreements, it's advisable to consult a real estate professional or attorney knowledgeable about Virginia landlord-tenant law.