A. Except as provided in this section or as otherwise provided by law, a landlord shall not retaliate against a tenant by taking any action set forth in subsection B after such landlord has actual knowledge that the tenant has (i) made a complaint to a governmental agency responsible for the enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises that materially affects the tenant's health or safety; (ii) made a complaint to any member of a news or media outlet regarding noncompliance with the rental agreement or the provisions of this chapter; (iii) made a written complaint to or filed an action against the landlord for a violation of the rental agreement, any provision of this chapter, the Virginia Fair Housing Law (§ 36-96.1 et seq.), or the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.); (iv) organized, become a member of, or participated in lawful activities pertaining to a tenants' organization; or (v) testified in a court or administrative proceeding against the landlord.
B. If a landlord has knowledge that a tenant has taken any action set forth in subsection A, the landlord shall be prohibited from taking any retaliatory action against the tenant, including (i) increasing the tenant's rental amount or amount of fees; (ii) selectively decreasing services, selectively enforcing a rule or imposing a different rule on the tenant, or otherwise materially altering the terms of the rental agreement without the tenant's consent; (iii) threatening, harassing, or coercing the tenant; (iv) bringing an action or threatening to bring an action for possession against the tenant; (v) terminating the tenant's rental agreement pursuant to § 55.1-1253; or (vi) refusing to renew a tenancy where the tenant is receiving tenant-based rental