Tazewell County Landlord-Tenant Law

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

Tazewell County Rental Market Overview

Tazewell County is Southwest Virginia’s largest county by population at approximately 42,000 residents, straddling the Clinch Valley and anchored by several distinct communities including the county seat of Tazewell, the commercial hubs of Richlands and Bluefield (Virginia), and the smaller towns of Cedar Bluff, Pocahontas, and others. The county straddles the Virginia-West Virginia border region and shares a metropolitan character with Bluefield, West Virginia directly across the state line. Once heavily coal-dependent, Tazewell has diversified into healthcare (Clinch Valley Medical Center), county and school government, retail, and natural gas. Bluefield College (now Bluefield University) adds an educational presence.

Year-round residential rents run $650–$900/month. The GDC at 135 Court Street in Tazewell runs civil on 1st and 3rd Mondays: attorney cases at 9:00 a.m., UD at 9:30 a.m., miscellaneous WID/contested/garnishments at 10:00 a.m. Civil continuances by Clerk with all parties’ agreement; traffic/misdemeanor by Clerk; otherwise Judge on motion.

Tazewell County Ordinances & Local Rules

Last verified: March 2026 · Source: Tazewell GDC — 29th 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

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📝 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.

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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.

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Tazewell County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Clinch Valley Coal Country Transition Guide

Tazewell County is Southwest Virginia’s most populous county and the regional center of the Clinch Valley, a long valley running between parallel mountain ridges that historically produced significant quantities of coal and provided the economic foundation for a cluster of communities stretching from Richlands in the west to Tazewell in the east. The county has navigated coal’s decline more successfully than some neighboring jurisdictions by maintaining a diversified economic base including healthcare, retail, and the Bluefield/Richlands commercial corridor that serves a broad multi-county population.

Tazewell General District Court, 29th Judicial District, at 135 Court Street Suite 300, Tazewell, VA 24651. Clerk Crystal Denise Crouse: (276) 385-1563. Office hours Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Civil runs bi-weekly on the 1st and 3rd Mondays with a staggered segmented schedule: attorney cases at 9:00 a.m., UD at 9:30 a.m., WID/contested/garnishments at 10:00 a.m. Civil continuances by Clerk with all parties’ agreement; traffic and misdemeanor by Clerk; otherwise Judge on motion. GDC Chief Judge George Robert Brittain — the sole judge for the 29th District GDC, serving both Tazewell and Russell Counties. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Southwest Virginia: (276) 623-3021.