If you own, buy, or sell a home in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, or anywhere else in Hampton Roads, there's a good chance you're dealing with a homeowners association. HOAs govern a large share of the region's neighborhoods — from waterfront communities to newer subdivisions in Suffolk and Chesapeake. Virginia's 2025 HOA law updates are worth paying attention to, because they directly affect how associations operate and what rights you have as a homeowner.
What Changed in 2025
The most significant updates stem from House Bill 1704 and Senate Bill 808, which together reform how HOAs handle resale disclosures. These changes are designed to make the process more transparent for buyers and sellers moving through a transaction in a common interest community. Resale disclosure packets — the documents an HOA provides when a home is being sold — are now subject to clearer requirements around content, timing, and fees.
Why Resale Disclosures Matter in Hampton Roads
In a busy market like Virginia Beach or Chesapeake, resale disclosures can directly affect a transaction's timeline. Buyers have the right to review HOA documents before finalizing a purchase, and sellers are responsible for ordering and delivering them. If you're selling a home in an HOA community, understanding what's now required under the updated law can help you avoid delays at closing. If you own a home in an HOA-governed neighborhood, it's worth knowing what your property could be worth in today's market. Find out what your home is worth →
Stronger Protections for Homeowners
Beyond disclosures, the 2025 updates introduce broader reforms aimed at strengthening homeowner rights and improving accountability within associations. Boards are expected to operate with greater transparency, and homeowners have clearer avenues to raise concerns.
What This Means For You
• If you're buying in an HOA community, review the resale disclosure packet carefully — it tells you about fees, rules, pending assessments, and the association's financial health.
• If you're selling, be aware that updated disclosure requirements may affect what you're required to provide and when.
• Investors purchasing in HOA communities should factor association rules and financial standing into their due diligence.
• All homeowners in HOA communities benefit from knowing their rights under the updated law — don't assume your board is operating correctly just because it always has.
Hampton Roads has no shortage of HOA communities, and these updates affect a real number of families across the region. Whether you're buying your first home in Virginia Beach or selling a townhouse in Chesapeake, staying informed on HOA law is part of making a smart real estate decision. If you have questions about how these changes might affect your specific situation, we're here to help.