RICHMOND, VIRGINIA · JOURNAL

Notes from the front of
the rental market.

Policy Watch, market notes, and practical guides for Richmond rental property owners and residents. Written by Brian Hall — owner, broker, and a Richmond rental investor since 2001.

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1407 Wentbridge Road — a house, a family, a neighborhood.

An estate-sale brick ranch in Sherwood Park, listed at $349,950. A home kept by one family for over five decades, the Northside streetcar suburb an Olmsted firm laid out, and what the Diamond District means next.

Virginia just changed the rules for landlords.

Three new laws took effect July 1, 2025 that affect every Richmond landlord. If you're managing your own rental property, there's a real chance you're not compliant. Here's the breakdown — and Richmond's rent cap update.

What 6.6% vacancy actually means for Richmond owners.

Our portfolio runs at 6.6% vacancy across 200+ Richmond homes. That's higher than the headline numbers you'll see for the metro — and the gap matters. Here's what we've learned about reading vacancy data honestly.

Should you raise rent at renewal? A Richmond owner's checklist.

Our portfolio averaged 8.9% rent increases at renewal last year. Some owners aimed higher and lost good tenants. Some held flat and left money on the table. Here's the framework we use to get it right.

Application red flags Richmond renters should know.

Rental scams are up across Virginia. Real management companies don't ask for Zelle, won't rent sight-unseen, and never use Gmail addresses for "the owner." Here's how to spot fakes — and what legitimate Richmond rentals actually look like.

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