Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

Re: can leases be automatically renewed without signature

Also, can a landlord increase rent if the number of occupants changes in the middle of a lease?

This depends on what the lease actually says. The landlord can only do what the lease says in writing.

Re: can leases be automatically renewed without signature

In landlord tenant law the lease usually controls, so long as it does not violate any applicable state laws.

Absent the lease I cannot provide an accuate answer, but suffice it to say that a lease can be renewed absent a signature if the original lease contains a provision for renewal, and that orginal lease was signed by the landlord and the tenant.

A landlord can change the provisions of a lease provided that thirty days' notice of the change is given to the tenant. If the tenant is opposed to the lease change, he or she can terminate the lease for good cause and vacate the rental unit.

You should read the lease in its entirety and understand all of its clauses. If you do not, contact a lawyer for review of the lease.