Category: Real Estate and Land Use

Residential leases normally are written by, or on behalf of, landlords. As such, they often give landlords the right to recover their attorneys’ fees and costs in a successful legal action against a tenant – but don’t give similar rights to tenants. But a recent trend in Virginia landlord-tenant law has created opportunities for tenants […]

In our land use practice, Alliance Law Group typically represents individuals, community or homeowner associations, and businesses that oppose a development project because of the possible adverse impact on the character of their communities or the value of their homes or businesses. For those seeking to stop such development, consideration should be given to retaining […]

This is the first in a series of articles that we will post over the next few weeks concerning the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”). We will explain what it is and what it means in the context of those opposing a land use application to build or expand a church, synagogue, […]

Whether you are redoing your office condo, putting an addition on your house, or undertaking any other type of construction project, there are a few things to keep in mind as you select a contractor and get the construction process underway. Following these tips will not guarantee a problem-free project, but may reduce the chances […]

The provision of short-term rentals via online platforms such as Airbnb, FlipKey and HomeAway is part of the growing “shared economy.” In 2017, the Virginia General Assembly established a framework by which local governments may regulate these and other short-term rentals. The law defines a short-term rental (STR) business as “the provision of a room…intended […]

Under federal and Virginia fair housing laws, a landlord must provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. A person is considered disabled when he or she has a physical or mental impairment that that substantially limits one or more of that person’s life activities, and that person has a record of having the impairment or […]