Virginia has taken a stand in discrimination against tenants in Virginia who have been discriminated against by David Lee Merryman according  to The Office of Civil Rights who conducted a full investigation in regards to numerous complaints for this Virginia Landlord, Mark Herring files a Housing Discrimination Lawsuit in regards to. Changes are being made in Virginia for the better of our communities, families & businesses and We still have work to do. 

The code of  Virginia Landlord Tennant Act does not cover discrimination in the Landlord's obligations. The landlord has a list of obligations to cover dwellings, payments, etc. The tenant also has obligations according to the Ac.  There is nothing in simple terms that identify the Landlord's obligation tin case of discriminatory acts against its tenants.

The list of tenant remedies include the following, but there is nothing that includes Early Termination of rental agreements by Discrimination. 

Article 4. Tenant Remedies
§ 55.1-1234
Noncompliance by landlord
§ 55.1-1235
Early termination of rental agreement by military personnel
§ 55.1-1236
Early termination of rental agreements by victims of family abuse, sexual abuse, or criminal sexual assault

We have to start holding business owners accountable for actions that affects the lives of people's livelihood, mental health & stability. Imagine fearing your landlord, or afraid to ask for repairs, because of the way you have been treated or discriminated against as a tenant. The police will not be able to assist, you would have to spend money filing a lawsuit against your landlord. That takes time and money that most families do not have. 

A fine is not enough, Building Back Black is asking for more. David Merryman will still be able to have a business license, conduct business in the city of Newport News & the state after being fined.

There is no code currently in the state of Virginia that states If any civil lawsuit brought against any business in Virginia that is discriminating against any customer or client, their license shall be suspended or revoked at city and state levels. There is no code or law for this in the state of Virginia. There is also no code in the Virginia Tenant Act that states, after discriminatory or even abuse complaints the Landlord shall no longer conduct business as a landlord in the state of Virginia. 

Virginia we set a lot of standards, let's continue to push and setting the tone to let Landlords know what is no longer allowed in this state. In a case such as this, we should not ask " David Merryman to have someone else run his property for him", the city should take over or allow the property to be sold" What happens after the fine? Will he do it again? 

We are asking for

• Removal of David Merryman's Business License to do business in Newport News
• Removal of SCC Registration of David Merryman's Company at the state level
• No Contact Order for all tenants that have been impacted by David Merryman

Sign the Petition for more to be done! 

Thank you for your continued support in change in our community

- @buildingbackblack