Landlords in Virginia may soon face hefty fine if they unlawfully evict tenants (FILE) (Source: WAVE 3 News) By Daniel Grimes | February 23, 2021 at 4:43 PM EST - Updated February 23 at 8:58 PM CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) -Landlords in Virginia may soon face a hefty fine if they unlawfully evict a tenant. 57h District Delegate Sally Hudson (D) says the current penalty for changing the locks, cutting off heat or electricity, and forcing a tenant out of their home is low. She proposed a bill that would levy a $ 5,000 fine or four month’s rent on any landlord who tries such tactics. “The goal is to make it high enough so that no one ever do it. Our goal is not to punish the landlord. We’re trying to deter them from breaking the law in the first place. We want to make sure that everyone has full incentive to use the courts,” Hudson said.