Southampton County Landlord-Tenant Law

Virginia landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules

Southampton County Rental Market Overview

Southampton County is a rural Southside Virginia county of approximately 18,000 residents with its county seat in Courtland (formerly Jerusalem), situated along US-58 in the Peanut Belt region west of Suffolk. The county is historically and agriculturally significant — it was the site of Nat Turner’s Rebellion in 1831, one of the most consequential events in American antebellum history — and today its economy revolves around peanut farming and agriculture, county and school government, International Paper (a major regional employer), and its position along the US-58 corridor connecting Norfolk/Suffolk to the west. The Blackwater River and Nottoway River provide some recreation appeal.

Year-round residential rents run $700–$950/month. The Combined GDC/JDR at 22350 Main Street in Courtland runs civil on 2nd and 4th Fridays at 1:05 p.m. with small claims at 1:00 p.m. the same days. First continuance by Clerk or Judge; thereafter by Judge only.

Southampton County Ordinances & Local Rules

Last verified: March 2026 · Source: Southampton Combined District Courts — 5th Judicial District

Virginia State Law Framework

⚡ Quick Overview

5

Days Notice (Nonpayment)

21

Days Notice (Violation)

45-75

Avg Total Days

$58

Filing Fee (Approx)

💰 Nonpayment of Rent

Notice Type 5-Day Pay or Quit Notice

Notice Period 5 days

Tenant Can Cure? Yes

Days to Hearing 21-30 days

Days to Writ 10 days

Total Estimated Timeline 45-75 days

Total Estimated Cost $150-$400

⚠️ Watch Out

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.

📜 Eviction Laws Main 📊 Compare This State

Underground Landlord

📝 Virginia Eviction Process (Overview)

1. Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
2. Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
3. File an eviction case with the General District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$58).
4. Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
5. Attend the court hearing and present your case.
6. If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
7. 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.

🐛 See an error on this page? Let us know

Underground Landlord

🔍 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.

Generate a Document →

View AI Hub →

Southampton County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Peanut Belt Rural Landlord Guide

Southampton County is a rural Southside Virginia county of approximately 18,000 residents with deep agricultural roots in the Virginia Peanut Belt. Courtland, the county seat (renamed from Jerusalem after Nat Turner’s 1831 rebellion made the original name politically fraught), serves as the modest government and commercial hub for the county’s scattered rural communities. International Paper’s large pulp mill near the adjacent City of Franklin is the most significant industrial employer, drawing workers from both county and city. Camp Community College provides higher education access.

Southampton County Combined District Courts, 5th Judicial District, at 22350 Main Street (P.O. Box 347), Courtland, VA 23837. Clerk Belinda J. Jones: (757) 653-2673. Office hours Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Civil and UD on 2nd and 4th Fridays at 1:05 p.m. Small claims at 1:00 p.m. the same days. Traffic runs Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:00 a.m.; criminal Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. First continuance by Clerk or Judge; subsequent by Judge. Note that the City of Franklin is an adjacent independent city — properties within Franklin city limits must be filed at the Franklin GDC, not at Southampton Combined Courts. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423.