Rent control laws limit the amount a landlord can increase rents on existing tenants. Most states have laws that prohibit local governments from enacting rent control measures. But over 180 municipalities in the United States have rent control measures—and all of them are located in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The state of Oregon has a statewide rent control law that limits annual rent increases to 7% plus the increase in the consumer price index.
In Virginia, there are currently no rent control laws that limit the amount a landlord can increase rents on existing tenants. Unlike states like California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon, where rent control measures are in place in certain municipalities or statewide, Virginia does not impose such restrictions. Local governments in Virginia are also not permitted to enact their own rent control measures. Therefore, landlords in Virginia are generally free to set and increase rents as they see fit, subject to the terms of the lease and general landlord-tenant laws that require notice before rent increases can be implemented.