Identify the landlord who is trying to include a prohibited clause in the rental agreement.

In Virginia, landlords are prohibited from including certain clauses in rental agreements, and one such prohibited clause pertains to adding damages to the upcoming rent without following legal procedures. When a landlord attempts to assess damages directly onto the next month's rent without going through the proper channels, such as filing for recovery of damages in court, it violates tenants' rights and is generally seen as an overreach of the landlord's authority.

Lance’s action of adding damages to next month’s rent demonstrates a clear violation of these guidelines, as it does not allow the tenant to contest the damages or have any recourse prior to being charged. This makes it a prohibited clause. Other actions by Mary, John, and Sarah, while they may raise questions or require further discussion, do not necessarily fit the criteria of being outright prohibited by law. For instance, increasing rent after a lease term is typically permissible under certain conditions as long as the tenant is given appropriate notice, and requiring deposits, while regulated, is standard practice if done within legal limits. Similarly, including utility payments within the rent is often just a matter of arrangement and could be permissible if disclosed in the rental agreement.

Thus, Lance’s approach to adding damages is the clear indication of including a prohibited clause in the rental