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Good Neighbor and Landlord/Tenant Guides
Good Neighbor Guide
We all have different expectations of our neighbors. Being a good neighbor helps make Chesterfield neighborhoods great places to live. The outside appearance of your house and property can positively or negatively affect your relationship with your neighbors, your property values and the quality of potential buyers who may become your neighbors.
These simple guidelines will positively affect your neighborhood:
- Get to know your neighbors to enhance safety and communications. Start a neighborhood Facebook group, participate on Nextdoor or hold social gatherings.
- Maintain property and home appearance to help protect your property’s value, as well as the value of your neighborhood.
- Lend a hand by going the extra mile. Drive an elderly neighbor to the grocery store or collect your neighbor’s mail while they are out of town.
- Volunteer in your community.
Great Neighborhoods Attract Good Neighbors
Property Appearance
There are several minor things neighbors can do to keep their streets and neighborhoods desirable:
- Be aware of the appearance of structures from your neighbor's view, such as your:
- Dog houses
- Fences
- Garage
- House
- Sheds
- Remove litter and debris in right of ways adjacent to your property when safe to do so.
- Maintain grass and shrubs.
- Remove piles of leaves and snow.
- Ensure shrub height does not prevent emergency exits from your house or impair safety.
- Store the following items inside enclosed structures and away from public view:
- Auto parts
- Boxes
- Coolers
- Grills
- Lawn equipment
- Tools
- Etc.
- Return empty garbage and recycling containers to the rear or side of your house the day of pickup. Ask a neighbor to do this for you if you are away.
- Maintain structural integrity of your home and associated elements like gutters, shutters and trim.
Please note: These good neighbor recommendations do not supersede or replace official county codes.
Litter, Debris & Garbage
- Check the appearance of your street frontage every few days.
- Remove cut and collected grass, leaves, shrub cuttings, sticks and limbs. These items should never be placed in drainage ditches by the road as it increases the risk of flooding.
- Keep your dog leashed while walking along roads and rights of way.
- Clean up after your dog and do not allow your dog to go on other’s property.
Please note: These good neighbor recommendations do not supersede or replace official county codes.
Noise
- Attend to your dog if it continually barks.
- Be courteous to neighbors when hosting outside events.
- Use yard care equipment, such as mowers, blowers, trimmers and chain saws, during daylight hours.
- Enjoy your musical equipment, such as radios, speakers and instruments, with consideration for your neighbors and the time of day. Avoid use of musical equipment that may be heard beyond your property or car, late at night or early in the morning.
Please note: These good neighbor recommendations do not supersede or replace official county codes.
Property Usage
- Park vehicles in appropriate areas.
- Keep sidewalks and drainage areas clear of vehicles.
- Park on driveways instead of lawns.
- Park outside of street travel lanes.
- Be aware that private properties are permitted to temporarily have small signs located on the property (check with the Planning Department at 804- 748-1050 for current restrictions), such as:
- Contractor job
- Lease
- Sale
- Yard sale
- Etc.
- Remove signs immediately after property sale, rental or lease. Signs are not permitted in the public right of way.
Please note: These good neighbor recommendations do not supersede or replace official county codes.
Right of Way
Right of way typically includes the street and publicly owned property adjacent to the street:
- Start a community litter patrol or clean up team.
- Be a good driver in your neighborhood and obey all traffic signs.
- Wear reflective clothing when you walk or run at dawn or dusk as drivers often have trouble seeing dark clothing.
- Keep your road safe by clearing overhanging tree limbs and putting away basketball goals and garbage cans when finished.
- Keep clear sight lines. Signs along the right of way, on traffic signals or on utility poles are not allowed as they distract drivers and obstruct visibility.
Please note: These good neighbor recommendations do not supersede or replace official county codes.
Good Landlord/Tenant Guide
We all have different expectations of residences. Being a good landlord or tenant helps make Chesterfield neighborhoods great places to live. The appearance of property can positively or negatively affect the relationship between landlords and tenants, property values and the quality of your neighborhood.
These simple guidelines will positively affect your neighborhood and rental journey.
- Stage 1: Rental Knowledge
- Stage 2: The Inspection
- Stage 3: The Lease
- Stage 4: The Occupancy
- Stage 5: The Move Out
- Resources
Stage 1: Rental Knowledge
Before entering into a rental agreement, remember:
• Landlords: A landlord can limit the number of occupants for health and safety or legitimate business reasons
• All: The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, familial status (having children), and physical or mental disability (including alcoholism and past drug addiction)
• Tenants: Occupying the same premises for more than 90 consecutive days grants rights
Stage 2: The Inspection
Thoroughly check the visual and operational condition of the property:
• All: Make sure locks have been changed following previous occupancy
• Landlords: Property must be in habitable condition before lease is signed
• Tenants: Take multiple pictures of the condition of the property for both landlord and tenant file
Stage 3: The Lease
A written lease is crucial:
• All: Read, understand and sign the lease
• Landlords: Security deposits may not exceed two months’ rent
• Tenants: Obtain a copy of the lease and file in a safe place
Stage 4: The Occupancy
Make the rental enjoyable for all by clarifying Landlord and Tenant responsibilities:
• All: Be respectful of neighbors’ property by considering noise and pets
• Landlords: Provide rules or covenants of home owner’s associations (HOA’s) and civic associations
• Landlords: Determine and clearly indicate who is responsible for:
- Maintenance of filters, smoke detectors, appliances, etc.
- Trash removal and yard maintenance, including common areas
• Tenants: Pay rent on time
• Tenants: Promptly report any problems or damages
Stage 5: The Move Out
Exit with confidence:
• All: Property should be in the same condition at move out as it was at move in
• Landlords: Security deposits must be returned within 45 days of move out
• Tenants: Provide a forwarding address for the return of any security deposits
Resources
The Landlord/Tenant brochure was developed to provide basic information for both parties to achieve an enjoyable rental experience. The Virginia Residential Landlord an Tenant Act (VRLTA), Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act and Fair Housing Act are law and therefore the best sites to find accurate answers to your questions. We encourage you to access the following links for more detailed information. This list below addresses a variety of issues that may be encountered.
- Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA): Virginia Law associated with the rules and regulations governing landlords and tenants
- Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act: Virginia Law associated with the rules and regulations associated with mobile home lots
- U.S. Department of Justice Fair Housing Act: Federal Law associated with the protection against discrimination in housing
- VHDA: Helping Virginia's Attain Quality Affordable Housing
- Better Business Bureau: Inquire into the ratings of landlords
- Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section: File complaints and FAQ on rentals
- 804-786-2071
- 202 North Ninth Street, Richmond, VA
- Central Virginia Legal Aid Society: Includes listing of useful links
- 804-648-1012; toll free 800-868-1012
- Fax: 804-649-8794
- 101 W. Broad Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23220
- Virginia Legal Aid: Helping people find solutions to their problems for possibly no cost or low cost.
- Virginia State Bar, Access to Justice: A guide for helping low- and modest-income Virginians obtain legal services
- Virginia State Bar: Lawyer Referral Service
- Chesterfield County: File a complaint online about animals, businesses, code enforcement, housing, litter and vehicles. All complaints are confidential.