Virginia landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules
📍 GDC: 3160 Kings Mountain Rd, Martinsville 👥 Pop. ~51,000 — Martinsville / Dan River Region ⚖️ 21st Judicial District GDC ⚠ Martinsville City (independent) — separate court jurisdiction
Henry County is a Southside Virginia county of approximately 51,000 residents situated in the Dan River basin, bordered by Patrick, Franklin, Pittsylvania, and Rockingham (NC) counties. The county wraps around the independent City of Martinsville — historically one of Virginia’s most important textile and furniture manufacturing cities, though the industry has declined significantly since the 1990s. Henry County’s economy today is more diversified, with healthcare (Memorial Hospital of Martinsville), education, logistics, and a growing cannabis and light manufacturing base. The county is located along the US-220 and US-58 corridors and lies approximately 50 miles from both Danville and Roanoke.
The rental market in Henry County is affordable, with single-family homes renting for $750–$1,100 per month. The tenant base includes healthcare workers, county and city government employees, manufacturing and distribution workers, and some commuters to the Danville or Roanoke areas. The GDC at 3160 Kings Mountain Road in Martinsville (Suite A) features a dedicated Wednesday civil docket with three clear time slots: Large Volume Plaintiffs and Warrants in Debt at 9:00 a.m., Unlawful Detainers at 10:30 a.m., and Contested Cases starting at 1:30 p.m. Henry County shares the 21st Judicial District with the independent City of Martinsville — jurisdiction must be verified before filing.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite A, Martinsville
Population
~51,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Southside Virginia — Dan River Basin / US-220 Corridor
Key Communities
Martinsville (independent city, adjacent), Bassett, Fieldale, Collinsville, Ridgeway, Axton
Major Employers
Memorial Hospital of Martinsville, Henry County gov. & schools, Bassett Furniture Industries, Amazon, Virginia Museum of Natural History, distribution/logistics
Typical SFH Rent
$750–$1,100/mo
GDC Clerk
Donna R. Doss — (276) 634-4815
Rent Control
None
Just-Cause Eviction
Not required
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Lease Violation
30-Day Notice to Cure (21 days to fix)
Month-to-Month Term.
30-Day Written Notice
UD Civil Docket
Every Wednesday: UD at 10:30 a.m.; Contested 1:30 p.m.
Debt/Other Civil
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. (Large Volume/Warrants in Debt)
Continuances
1st by Clerk; civil by party agreement (Judge decides if no agreement)
Eviction Timeline
4–7 weeks typical (weekly Wednesday civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Henry County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration or landlord license required. Virginia has no statewide landlord licensing statute. Henry County Building & Zoning (276-634-4620) handles permits. Note: the court has a Portable Electronic Devices Policy — cell phones are prohibited in the courtroom unless necessary for a hearing with Judge’s permission.
Rent Control
None. Virginia law prohibits local rent control (Va. Code § 55.1-1322).
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (Va. Code § 55.1-1226). Must be returned with written itemization within 45 days. At Henry rents, deposits run $750–$1,100.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 requires all charges on the first page of the lease.
Henry GDC — 21st Judicial District
Address: 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite A, Martinsville, VA 24112. Clerk: Donna R. Doss. Phone: (276) 634-4815. Fax: (276) 634-4825. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. GDC Judges: Hon. Joan Ziglar (Chief Judge), Hon. Stephanie B. Vipperman. Circuit Court Clerk: Hon. Katherine Minter Salgado, (276) 634-4880. The City of Martinsville is an independent city — Henry County properties and Martinsville City properties are filed in different jurisdictions, though the court is physically located in Martinsville. Verify jurisdiction before filing.
Civil UD Docket — Every Wednesday
Civil matters are heard every Wednesday. The civil schedule is structured: 9:00 a.m. — Large Volume Plaintiffs and Warrants in Debt; 10:30 a.m. — Unlawful Detainers and Detinue (UD slot); 1:30 p.m. — Contested Cases/Trials. With a dedicated 10:30 a.m. UD time slot every Wednesday, Henry County offers accessible and predictable eviction scheduling. File promptly after the notice period expires.
Continuance Policy
First continuance granted by Clerk. Subsequent continuances by Judge. Civil continuances by agreement between the litigants. If the parties cannot agree, the Judge holds a hearing to determine whether the continuance should be granted. This means civil UD continuances require agreement of both landlord and tenant — if the tenant does not agree, a judicial hearing is held on the continuance request itself.
Martinsville City Jurisdiction Note
Martinsville is an independent city. Properties within Martinsville city limits must be filed as Martinsville City evictions — not Henry County. The court building at 3160 Kings Mountain Road is physically in the city, but serves the county jurisdiction. Confirm your property’s county vs. city status before filing.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice before non-emergency entry (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent or balance due. At $900/month, maximum late fee is $90/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Piedmont Legal Aid (serving Henry County): (276) 632-4082. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Henry GDC Clerk: (276) 634-4815. Henry County Admin: (276) 634-4600. DHCD Handbook: dhcd.virginia.gov.
Virginia requires 5-day written pay-or-quit notice (§55.1-1245(F)). No statutory grace period, but rent must be 5 days late before late fees apply (§55.1-1204.1). Tenant can redeem tenancy by paying all rent, late fees, attorney fees, and court costs on or before the court return date (§55.1-1250). Tenant may also present a "redemption tender" - a written commitment from a government or nonprofit entity to pay within 10 days of return date. Late fee cap: 10% of periodic rent. The Eviction Diversion Program was renewed and expanded in 2025, allowing qualifying lower-income tenants to be placed on court-ordered payment plans.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the General District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$58).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Virginia eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Virginia attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
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including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
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Ready to File?
Generate Virginia-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Virginia requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏠 Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Collinsville (US-220 corridor near Martinsville, highest density, most retail), Bassett (western county, historic furniture manufacturing, Smith River corridor), Fieldale (textile history, accessible rents), Ridgeway (southeastern, US-220 S), Axton (eastern county).
Tenant base: Apply 3x monthly income. Healthcare workers at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville are stable long-term tenants. Manufacturing and distribution workers (Amazon facility, Bassett furniture sector) should have employment stability verified; hourly workers with variable hours — verify base income not peak overtime. Civil continuances require both parties to agree, so come to court prepared to proceed on your scheduled Wednesday date.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Henry County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: A Guide for Property Owners in the Dan River Region
Henry County sits at the intersection of Southside Virginia’s economic history and its economic future — a county whose furniture and textile legacy defined it for over a century, and whose current economy is diversifying into healthcare, logistics, and light manufacturing. With approximately 51,000 residents and rents of $750–$1,100 per month, Henry County offers genuinely affordable investment property options with a stable, employment-anchored tenant base. The independent City of Martinsville — physically surrounded by the county — is a separate jurisdiction that shares the 21st Judicial District court at 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite A. Verify whether your property is in the county or city before filing; mailing addresses in Martinsville may be in either jurisdiction.
Henry General District Court features a well-structured Wednesday civil docket: Large Volume Plaintiffs and Warrants in Debt at 9:00 a.m.; Unlawful Detainers at 10:30 a.m.; Contested Cases beginning at 1:30 p.m. The first continuance may be granted by the Clerk; subsequent continuances require a Judge. Uniquely, civil continuances require agreement between the litigants — if the parties disagree, the Judge holds a hearing on the continuance request itself. This means landlords should come to each Wednesday civil date prepared to proceed. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply: 72-hour entry notice, fee disclosure on the first lease page, late fees capped at 10% of monthly rent, deposits capped at two months’ rent with 45-day return, and self-help eviction prohibited. Piedmont Legal Aid serves Henry County tenants at (276) 632-4082.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Virginia attorney or Piedmont Legal Aid at (276) 632-4082. Henry General District Court: 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite A, Martinsville, VA 24112 — (276) 634-4815. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Virginia attorney or Henry General District Court at 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite A, Martinsville, VA 24112 — (276) 634-4815. Piedmont Legal Aid: (276) 632-4082. Last updated: March 2026.
