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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 845: Unlawful detainer; bifurcation of case, contested rent and damages.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 845 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Unlawful detainer; bifurcation of case, contested rent and damages. Primary sponsor: Rae Cousins (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 8, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0432).

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Unlawful detainer; bifurcation of case; contested rent and damages. Provides that, at an initial hearing on an unlawful detainer, if the defendant contests the amount of rent and damages alleged to be due and owing to the plaintiff, the court shall not bifurcate the unlawful detainer case. Under current law, at the initial hearing, upon request of the plaintiff, the court is required to bifurcate the unlawful detainer case and set a continuance date no later than 120 days from the date of the initial hearing to determine final rent and damages.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Rae CousinsPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse79
Katrina CallsenCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse54
Virgil ThorntonCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse86

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0432)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 432 (effective 7/1/2026)
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
  5. Signed by Speaker
  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB845)
  7. Signed by President
  8. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB845ER)
  9. Enrolled
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
  11. Read third time
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Showing 12 most recent of 27 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source