HB 2047

Abstract

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; algorithmic pricing devices; study; report. Prohibits a landlord from, for the purpose of advising the landlord of the amount of rent to charge a prospective tenant for the occupancy of a dwelling unit, using, incorporating, or training an algorithmic pricing device, defined in the bill, to restrain the rental housing market in ways that constitute an unfair method of competition. The bill grants a tenant with a reasonable belief that his landlord has violated the prohibition an opportunity to file a written complaint with the Office of the Algorithmic Rent Pricing Ombudsman, created in the bill, or to bring an action against his landlord. The bill requires a landlord who uses an algorithmic pricing device to advise him of the amount of rent to charge a prospective tenant for the occupancy of a dwelling unit to disclose the same to a tenant. The bill also directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study the deployment of algorithmic pricing devices and similar predictive technologies for the sale of housing in the Commonwealth to determine whether such devices perpetuate systemic biases prevalent in the housing market. The Commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for legislation to the Chairmen of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology by November 1, 2026.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55.1-1200 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 55.1-1204.2, 55.1-1204.3. 55.1-1204.4, and 55.1-1219.1, relating to Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; algorithmic pricing devices; study; report.