Pillar · Tenant Rights
What Virginia renters can — and can't — do under HB 395
HB 395 doesn't give every renter an unconditional right to install balcony solar. It does, however, sharply limit what most landlords can prohibit. Here's how the lines are drawn.
Threshold
4+ rental units
System cap
1,200 W
Notice
Written, in advance
Removal
On lease end
Articles in this pillar
Can my landlord say no to balcony solar?
The default answer is now usually no — but the law carves out specific exceptions for small landlords, structural risk, and safety violations.
8 min read
Lease language to watch for in 2027
Some landlords are updating leases ahead of January 2027. Some new solar clauses are legitimate conditions; others are unenforceable attempts to restrict what HB 395 protects. Here's how to tell the difference.
9 min read
How to give your landlord proper written notice
HB 395 requires written notice before installation, but the SCC's official template won't be published until January 1, 2027. Here's what to send in the meantime — and what has to be in it either way.
7 min read
What counts as a 'reasonable restriction'?
HB 395 lets landlords impose conditions on balcony solar installations — but those conditions cannot effectively ban the system. Here's where the legal line sits, and why it matters more than most renters realize.
9 min read