Virginia landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules
📍 County Seat: King and Queen Courthouse — 242 Allens Circle 👥 Pop. ~7,000 — Middle Peninsula Rural County ⚖️ 9th Judicial District GDC 🏛 Middle Peninsula — Mattaponi & Pamunkey River Corridor
King and Queen County is a deeply rural Middle Peninsula county of approximately 7,000 residents, bordered by Essex, King William, Gloucester, and Middlesex counties. Named for the joint monarchy of King William III and Queen Mary II of England, the county traces its history to the earliest decades of colonial Virginia. The county seat at King and Queen Courthouse is not a town but an unincorporated courthouse village, one of Virginia’s smallest county seat communities. The county is predominantly agricultural, heavily forested, and lacks significant population centers — it is one of Virginia’s most genuinely rural jurisdictions. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers form the county’s southern and western boundaries, providing some waterfront character in an otherwise inland-agricultural setting.
The rental market in King and Queen County is among Virginia’s smallest and most affordable, with single-family home rents running $650–$950 per month. The tenant base includes county government and school employees, agricultural workers, and some Richmond-area commuters willing to accept long drives for rural living. The GDC at 242 Allens Circle has an unusually structured schedule: civil matters appear on every Friday at 1:30 p.m. (civil first returns), running on the 1st through 4th Fridays, with no court on the 4th Friday in November or December. The courthouse has specific security and contraband policies including a prohibition on purses and bags. Continuances for criminal cases are handled by the Commonwealth’s Attorney; first traffic continuances by the Clerk.
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat / Court
King and Queen Courthouse, 242 Allens Circle (P.O. Box 86)
Population
~7,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Middle Peninsula — Between Mattaponi & Pamunkey Rivers
Key Communities
King and Queen Courthouse (seat, very small), Newtown, St. Stephens Church, Mattaponi (river area)
Major Employers
King and Queen County gov. & schools, agriculture/timber, Machipongo Land & Farm (regional), Richmond/Hampton Roads commuters
Typical SFH Rent
$650–$950/mo
GDC Clerk
Jill C. Hall — (804) 785-5982
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
Civil UD Docket
Every Friday (1st–4th): Civil First Returns 1:30 p.m.; no court 4th Fri Nov/Dec
Small Claims
Friday 1:45 p.m. (after garnishments)
Continuances (Criminal)
Granted by Commonwealth’s Attorney
Continuances (Traffic)
First by Clerk; contact court for civil continuances
No county-level rental registration or landlord license required. Virginia has no statewide landlord licensing statute. King and Queen County Building Official (804-785-5975) handles permits. The courthouse has strict security and courtroom policies: all persons entering the building are subject to search, arrest, and forfeiture. Appropriate dress is required. Prohibited: weapons, contraband, hazardous materials, outside food and beverage, cell phones or electronic devices (unless necessary for a hearing with Judge’s permission), and purses and/or bags. Leave all bags in your vehicle before entering the courthouse.
Rent Control
None. Virginia law prohibits local rent control (Va. Code § 55.1-1322). King and Queen County rents are among Virginia’s lowest, reflecting the deeply rural, low-density character of the county.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (Va. Code § 55.1-1226). Must be returned with written itemization within 45 days. At King and Queen rents, deposits run $650–$950. Document property conditions at move-in, including well and septic status for rural properties.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 requires all charges on the first page of the lease. Rural properties in King and Queen may have non-standard arrangements; disclose all terms upfront.
King and Queen GDC — 9th Judicial District
Address: 242 Allens Circle, P.O. Box 86, King and Queen Courthouse, VA 23085. Clerk: Jill C. Hall. Phone: (804) 785-5982. Fax: (804) 785-5694. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Payments/filings accepted until 4:00 p.m.). GDC Judges (9th District, shared with Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King William, James City County/Williamsburg): Hon. Wade A. Bowie (Chief), Hon. Matthew D. Danielson, Hon. James Anderson Mullins, Hon. Stephanie M. Revere. Circuit Court Clerk: Hattie Robinson, hrobinson@vacourts.gov, (804) 785-5984.
Civil Docket — Every Friday (1st–4th), 1:30 p.m. Civil First Returns
Civil matters are heard every Friday (1st through 4th of each month) at 1:30 p.m. for Civil First Returns. Garnishments follow at 1:31 p.m.; Small Claims at 1:45 p.m.; Contested Civil set by Court at 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Arraignments run at 9:00 a.m. Traffic (Sheriff/State Police) at 9:30 a.m./10:00 a.m./10:30 a.m. Criminal Trials at 11:00 a.m. No court is held on the 4th Friday in November or December. Animal Control: 1st Friday 1:00 p.m. Wildlife Resources/VMRC: 3rd Friday 1:00 p.m. With weekly Friday civil hearings (minus those two November/December exceptions), King and Queen offers accessible UD scheduling in a small rural market.
Continuance Policy
Criminal case continuances are granted by the Commonwealth’s Attorney. First continuance in traffic cases granted by Clerk. For civil UD matters, contact the Clerk at (804) 785-5982 to confirm the civil continuance procedure. The posted policy primarily addresses criminal and traffic cases; for civil continuances, confirm directly with the Clerk in advance of your Friday hearing.
Courthouse Security
The King and Queen County courthouse has a strict no-bags/no-purses policy. All persons entering are subject to search, arrest, and forfeiture. Leave purses, bags, and all prohibited items in your vehicle before entering. Appropriate dress is required. No weapons, contraband, food, beverages, or cell phones without judicial permission.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice before non-emergency entry (2024 VRLTA update). In a county this small, informal arrangements are common — written notice creates the necessary documentary record for any future legal proceeding.
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $800/month, maximum late fee is $80/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (serving King and Queen): (757) 627-5423. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. King and Queen GDC Clerk: (804) 785-5982. King and Queen County Admin: (804) 785-5975. 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:
Virginia landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Virginia —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Virginia's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
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: King and Queen Courthouse (county seat, courthouse, very small unincorporated village), Newtown (central county, slightly larger community), St. Stephens Church (eastern area, US-360 corridor), Mattaponi (southwestern corner near King William County line).
Very small market: King and Queen County has one of Virginia’s smallest rental housing stocks. Nearly every transaction is a personal relationship in a community this size. Apply 3x monthly income. Verify employment stability — county government and school employees (stable), agricultural workers (seasonal income, verify year-round base), Richmond commuters (verify commute commitment). Rural habitability issues (wells, septic, heating) require thorough inspection before renting any older farmhouse.
No bags/no purses at courthouse: Leave all bags in your vehicle. Entering the courthouse with a bag or purse will result in it being left at the security checkpoint or refusal of entry.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture.
King and Queen County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: A Guide for Property Owners on the Middle Peninsula
King and Queen County occupies the heart of Virginia’s Middle Peninsula — a narrow finger of land between the Rappahannock River to the north and the York River corridor to the south, stretching from the coastal Chesapeake Bay westward to the fall zone near Richmond. With approximately 7,000 residents spread across roughly 300 square miles, it is one of Virginia’s most genuinely rural and lightly populated counties. The county seat at King and Queen Courthouse is among Virginia’s smallest county seat communities — just the courthouse complex, a handful of county government buildings, and a post office. The county’s agricultural and timber economy has changed little in character, though a small population of Richmond-area commuters willing to accept 60–90 minute drives in exchange for rural land ownership has added a modest housing demand component.
King and Queen General District Court, 9th Judicial District, operates from 242 Allens Circle (P.O. Box 86) at King and Queen Courthouse, VA 23085. Clerk Jill C. Hall is reachable at (804) 785-5982, fax (804) 785-5694. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with payments and filings accepted until 4:00 p.m. Civil first returns are every Friday at 1:30 p.m., with garnishments at 1:31 p.m., small claims at 1:45 p.m., and contested civil set by the court from 2:00 p.m. No court is held on the 4th Friday in November or December. With weekly Friday civil hearings (minus those two exceptions), the scheduling is accessible. The courthouse enforces strict security — all persons are subject to search, purses and bags are prohibited, cell phones are not permitted without judicial permission, and appropriate dress is required. Leave bags in your vehicle before entering the building. For civil continuances, contact the Clerk at (804) 785-5982 in advance of your Friday hearing date. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply: 72-hour entry notice, fee disclosure, late fee cap 10%, deposit cap 2 months’ rent with 45-day return, self-help eviction prohibited. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia serves King and Queen County tenants at (757) 627-5423.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Virginia attorney or Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia at (757) 627-5423. King and Queen General District Court: P.O. Box 86, King and Queen Courthouse, VA 23085 — (804) 785-5982. 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 King and Queen General District Court at P.O. Box 86, King and Queen Courthouse, VA 23085 — (804) 785-5982. No purses or bags permitted in courthouse. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423. Last updated: March 2026.
