A new law passed in Virginia [1] requires that landlords install new locks or security devices on apartments rented by tenants who have a restraining order against a cotenant. The tenant must present a copy of the restraining order to the landlord. The landlord must then install a new lock or other security devices on the exterior doors of the unit at the landlord’s cost or allow the tenant to install such devices at his or her cost. The new device may not cause permanent damage to any part of the building, and the landlord must be given duplicate keys or instructions on how to use the new security devices. Under the new law, the landlord may not provide keys or information to the person named on the restraining order.

A new Florida law [2] requires that all alarm monitoring companies attempt to contact property owners on two different numbers before calling for police assistance. The law, designed to help reduce the number of false alarms, is the first state law of its kind in the country, though numerous municipalities have already enacted similar provisions.