Northumberland County anchors the tip of Virginia’s Northern Neck — the peninsula between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers — with approximately 12,500 residents and its county seat at Heathsville. The Northern Neck is one of Virginia’s most celebrated waterfront and historic regions: George Washington was born in Westmoreland County just to the north, and the peninsular landscape of tidal creeks, Potomac River frontage, and Chesapeake Bay access has drawn retirees, second-home owners, and watermen for generations. The Kilmarnock area on the county’s southern end, just across the boundary with Lancaster County, forms the peninsula’s commercial hub and is home to Rappahannock General Hospital, the principal healthcare anchor for the entire Northern Neck.
Year-round residential rents run $750–$1,050/month. The GDC at 220 Judicial Place in Heathsville has the most restricted civil docket in this portion of the Northern Neck: civil is held only on the 4th Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m., with contested civil at 1:30 p.m. No civil court on any 5th Monday. A missed 4th Monday means a full month delay. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge only.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
220 Judicial Place (P.O. Box 114), Heathsville, VA 22473
Population
~12,500 (2025 est.)
Region
Northern Neck Peninsula — Potomac River / Chesapeake Bay
No county-level rental registration required. Northumberland County Building Official (804-580-4600) handles permits. Waterfront and vacation rentals on the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay approaches: confirm zoning with Northumberland County Planning before listing short-term.
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.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on the first page of the lease.
Northumberland GDC — 15th Judicial District
Address: 220 Judicial Place (P.O. Box 114), Heathsville, VA 22473. Clerk: Angela W. Tadlock. Phone: (804) 580-4323. Fax: (804) 580-6702. Email: atadlock@vacourts.gov. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. GDC Judges (15th District): Hon. Hugh S. Campbell (Chief), Hon. Vincent S. Donoghue, Hon. Richard T. McGrath, Hon. Angela M. O’Connor, Hon. Jane M. Reynolds, Hon. Julia H. Sichol, Hon. Mayo J. Wilson. The 15th District is a large multi-county district also covering Lancaster, Richmond County, Westmoreland, King George, Essex, Caroline, Hanover, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Fredericksburg.
Civil UD Docket — 4th Monday ONLY at 1:00 p.m.
Civil is held ONLY on the 4th Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Contested civil follows at 1:30 p.m. There is no civil court on any other Monday, and no civil court on any 5th Monday. Traffic and criminal run every Monday at 9:00 a.m. (no court on 5th Mondays). The 2nd Monday arraignments-only rule (effective January 1, 2021) means no traffic or criminal trials on the 2nd Monday — only arraignments, bond hearings, and protective order hearings. Missing the 4th Monday costs a full calendar month. File early in the month to catch the upcoming 4th Monday if possible.
Continuance Policy
First continuance granted by Clerk; subsequent continuances by Judge only. Given the monthly-only civil schedule, exercise the first continuance sparingly — a second continuance requires Judge approval and adds another full month to the timeline.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $900/month, maximum late fee is $90/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Northumberland GDC Clerk: (804) 580-4323. Northumberland County Admin: (804) 580-4600. 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.
🔍 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
🏠 Screening Tips
Northern Neck tenants: county/school employees (stable year-round income), hospital staff at Rappahannock General, watermen (seasonal income — verify base pay), retirees (pension/SS income — verify fixed amounts), and second-home caretakers. Critical: civil court is 4th Monday only — act immediately on nonpayment. Serve the 5-day notice the same day rent is late. A missed 4th Monday is a full month lost.
Northumberland County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Northern Neck Property Owner’s Guide
Northumberland County commands the tip of Virginia’s Northern Neck, where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. With approximately 12,500 residents, a robust menhaden fishing industry centered at Reedville, an active retiree and second-home market along its waterfront shores, and the commercial hub of Kilmarnock serving healthcare and retail needs at the Lancaster County line, Northumberland presents the classic Northern Neck combination of waterman heritage and amenity-driven in-migration. Year-round residential rents of $750–$1,050/month reflect the county’s rural character and modest year-round economy.
Northumberland General District Court, 15th Judicial District, is at 220 Judicial Place (P.O. Box 114), Heathsville, VA 22473. Clerk Angela W. Tadlock: (804) 580-4323, atadlock@vacourts.gov. Civil is held ONLY on the 4th Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. (no civil on 5th Mondays). Contested civil follows at 1:30 p.m. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge only. Effective January 1, 2021, the 2nd Monday is reserved for arraignments, bond hearings, and protective orders only — no traffic or criminal trials. File promptly; a missed 4th Monday costs a full calendar month. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia serves Northumberland tenants at (757) 627-5423.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Civil court meets only on the 4th Monday at 1:00 p.m. — no 5th Monday civil. Northumberland GDC: P.O. Box 114, Heathsville, VA 22473 — (804) 580-4323. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423. Last updated: March 2026.
