2006 Code of Virginia § 55-248.9:1 - Confidentiality of tenant records

55-248.9:1. Confidentiality of tenant records.

A. No landlord or managing agent shall release information about a tenant orprospective tenant in the possession of the landlord to a third party unless:

1. The tenant or prospective tenant has given prior written consent;

2. The information is a matter of public record as defined in 2.2-3701;

3. The information is a summary of the tenant's rent payment record,including the amount of the tenant's periodic rent payment;

4. The information is a copy of a material noncompliance notice that has notbeen remedied or, termination notice given to the tenant under 55-248.31and the tenant did not remain in the premises thereafter;

5. The information is requested by a local, state, or federal law-enforcementor public safety official in the performance of his duties;

6. The information is requested pursuant to a subpoena in a civil case;

7. The information is requested by a contract purchaser of the landlord'sproperty; provided the contract purchaser agrees in writing to maintain theconfidentiality of such information; or

8. The information is otherwise provided in the case of an emergency.

B. A tenant may designate a third party to receive duplicate copies of asummons that has been issued pursuant to 8.01-126 and of written noticesfrom the landlord relating to the tenancy. Where such a third party has beendesignated by the tenant, the landlord shall mail the duplicate copy of anysummons issued pursuant to 8.01-126 or notice to the designated third partyat the same time the summons or notice is mailed to or served upon thetenant. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to grant standing toany third party designated by the tenant to challenge actions of the landlordin which notice was mailed pursuant to this subsection. The failure of thelandlord to give notice to a third party designated by the tenant shall notaffect the validity of any judgment entered against the tenant.

(1985, c. 567; 2000, c. 760; 2003, c. 426; 2006, cc. 491, 667.)