New Kent County is a fast-growing I-64 corridor county of approximately 25,000 residents occupying the rural land between Richmond’s eastern suburbs and the Williamsburg area. New Kent sits on one of Virginia’s most-traveled highway corridors — I-64 connects Richmond to the Hampton Roads metro — and the county has attracted a significant bedroom community population of households commuting to either metro area. New Kent Courthouse is the county seat, a small unincorporated community, while commercial activity follows the I-64 interchanges. The county is known for New Kent Winery and Vierra Winery along the Route 60 corridor, and for Brickshire Golf Club, marking its emergence as a recreational destination.
Single-family home rents run $1,300–$1,700/month, reflecting the county’s suburban-rural character and commuter appeal between two major metros. The GDC at 12001 Courthouse Circle runs a high-frequency civil schedule: civil first callings every Monday at 9:00 a.m. — one of the earliest civil morning starts in Virginia. Contested civil trials are set by the clerk and run afternoons on the 1st and 2nd Mondays. A basic dress code (no shorts) applies.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
12001 Courthouse Circle (P.O. Box 127), New Kent, VA 23124
No county-level rental registration required. New Kent County Building Official (804-966-9550) handles permits. Note: Civil clerk has a separate phone (804) 966-9531 from the main court line (804) 966-9530.
Rent Control
None (Va. Code § 55.1-1322).
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (Va. Code § 55.1-1226). Return within 45 days with itemization. At New Kent rents, deposits of $2,600–$3,400 are at stake.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 requires all charges on the first page of the lease.
New Kent GDC — 9th Judicial District
Address: 12001 Courthouse Circle, P.O. Box 127, New Kent, VA 23124. Clerk: Rachel Mills Lanham. Main phone: (804) 966-9530. Civil phone: (804) 966-9531. Fax: (804) 966-9535. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. GDC Judges (9th District): Hon. Wade A. Bowie (Chief/Presiding), Hon. Matthew D. Danielson, Hon. James Anderson Mullins, Hon. Stephanie M. Revere (Presiding).
Civil UD Docket — Every Monday at 9:00 a.m.
Civil first callings (including UD) run every Monday at 9:00 a.m. — one of the earliest civil start times in Virginia. Arraignments run 8:00 a.m. and bond hearings at 8:30 a.m. before civil at 9:00 a.m. Contested civil trials are set by the clerk for 1st and 2nd Monday afternoons only; call the civil line at (804) 966-9531 to schedule. The 3rd and 4th Mondays at 1:00 p.m. have New Kent Animal Control and Game & Inland Fisheries dockets. With weekly Monday morning civil first callings, New Kent offers accessible weekly UD scheduling in a growing exurban market.
Continuance Policy
First motion to continue may be granted by the Clerk. Subsequent motions by Judge. Note: all counsel determination cases require a signature to waive appearance at arraignment and all continuances thereafter. For civil continuances, contact the civil clerk at (804) 966-9531 before your Monday morning hearing.
Dress Code
Proper dress is required. No shorts permitted. Plan accordingly for Monday morning appearances.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $1,500/month, maximum late fee is $150/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (serving New Kent): (804) 649-8991. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. New Kent GDC Civil Clerk: (804) 966-9531. New Kent County Admin: (804) 966-9550. DHCD: 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.
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⚠️ 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.
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🏠 Screening Tips
New Kent’s tenant base is predominantly dual-income commuter households — Richmond east and Williamsburg west. Apply 3x monthly income from verifiable employment. New construction homes in communities like Brickshire attract families — thorough move-in documentation is essential. No shorts at court. Civil first callings every Monday at 9:00 a.m. sharp — arrive early.
New Kent County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for I-64 Corridor Property Owners
New Kent County occupies the rural corridor between Richmond’s eastern suburbs and Williamsburg on the I-64 corridor — a position that has made it one of the Richmond metro’s fastest-growing exurban counties as households seek more space at lower prices while maintaining reasonable commutes to either metro. With approximately 25,000 residents and rents of $1,300–$1,700/month, New Kent is moderately priced compared to the inner Richmond suburbs but significantly above Southside Virginia’s rural averages.
New Kent General District Court, 9th Judicial District, is at 12001 Courthouse Circle (P.O. Box 127), New Kent, VA 23124. Clerk Rachel Mills Lanham: main (804) 966-9530, civil direct (804) 966-9531, fax (804) 966-9535. Civil first callings run every Monday at 9:00 a.m. — one of Virginia’s earliest weekly civil start times. Contested civil trials are set by the civil clerk for 1st and 2nd Monday afternoons only. No shorts permitted in court. First motion to continue by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Central Virginia Legal Aid Society serves New Kent tenants at (804) 649-8991.
General informational purposes only. New Kent GDC: P.O. Box 127, New Kent, VA 23124 — Civil (804) 966-9531. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. New Kent GDC: P.O. Box 127, New Kent, VA 23124 — Civil (804) 966-9531 / Main (804) 966-9530. Central Virginia Legal Aid: (804) 649-8991. Last updated: March 2026.
