Dear Friend,
For folks in the rental market, everything is expensive: relocating costs, connecting new utilities, paying new security deposits, updating driver's licenses and other necessary registrations, and so much more. These repeated costs can be incredibly burdensome for students, for those on fixed income, and for lower income families.
This past session, I introduced legislation to help responsible tenants get their security deposit back in a timely manner. This financial relief would offer them a small cushion.
My bill mandated that if the renter was in good standing with all past rent payments and was present during the final inspection, the landlord was obligated to return their security deposit within fifteen business days. That's a full three weeks for the landlord to process and return money that rightfully belongs to the tenant.
The majority of landlords in Virginia are corporate owners of multiple, large complexes. They aren't the "mom and pop" landlord renting out a basement apartment unit. This bill was designed to help the little guy -- the renter who has little or no disposable income and has every right to receive their security deposit back in a timely manner.
Regardless of these facts, Republicans still killed this bill. They sided with wealthy corporate entities rather than our neighbors, family, and friends. They didn't stand up for the little guy. Yet again.
This is why we must win this fall. I’m asking for your help so I can return to Virginia's Senate to keep fighting for common sense and ethical solutions that actually help people.
I promise you that I'll continue to look out for those who are underrepresented, in need, the young, the elderly, and those without influential connections.
I need your help as we continue to reach new voters and share this message of fighting for the little guys.
I'll keep working as hard as I can throughout this campaign and as your state Senator. |
