Virginia Law

A. The purpose of the notice of intent to acquire is to establish eligibility for relocation benefits prior to the initiation of negotiations for the parcel. It is utilized in exceptional circumstances to relieve hardship to displacees. It is primarily applicable to residential owners who are prevented from selling a home because of the knowledge in the area of an impending project. It is also applicable to tenants and to owners of unimproved property.

B. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) must determine that a hardship exists for the occupants of the property in order to utilize the notice of intent to acquire. Such hardship may arise from a change in employment requiring a move; illness or infirmity making it difficult to live in and maintain the occupied property; or financial inability to pay costs of ownership or rental.

C. When the notice of intent to acquire is furnished to an owner, it must also be furnished to any tenants within 15 days. When the notice is furnished a tenant, the owner must simultaneously be furnished with a copy of such notice.

D. The notice letter will include a statement of eligibility, the anticipated date of initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of the parcel and how additional information on relocation assistance benefits and services can be obtained.

E. The notice of intent to acquire will be issued only after authorization is received to initiate negotiations on the project, or authorization of acquisition of individual parcels solely for protective buying or because of hardship. When the notice is issued, every effort should be made to acquire the property as soon as possible, to prevent possible subsequent tenant occupancy and to minimize rental vacancy loss for the owner.