{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1211.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1211.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1211.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1211.html"}],"law_id":65452,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65452,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1211","catch_line":"Appointment of resident agent by nonresident property owner; service of process, etc., on such agent or on Secretary of the Commonwealth","history":"1973, c. 301, \u00a7 55-218.1; 1987, c. 360; 2006, c. 318; 2008, c. 119; 2019, cc. 365, 712; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 427.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, “nonresident property owner” means any nonresident individual or group of individuals who owns and leases residential real property.B\n\nEvery nonresident property owner shall appoint and continuously maintain an agent who (i) if such agent is an individual, is a resident of the Commonwealth, or if such agent is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity, is authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth and (ii) maintains a business office within the Commonwealth. Every lease executed by or on behalf of nonresident property owners regarding any such real property shall specifically designate such agent and the agent’s office address for the purpose of service of any process, notice, order, or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon such nonresident property owner.C\n\nWhenever any nonresident property owner fails to appoint or maintain an agent, as required in this section, or whenever his agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found, then the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall be an agent of the nonresident property owner upon whom may be served any process, notice, order, or demand. Service may be made on the Secretary of the Commonwealth or any of his staff at his office who shall forthwith cause it to be sent by registered or certified mail addressed to the nonresident property owner at his address as shown on the official tax records maintained by the locality where the property is located.D\n\nThe name and office address of the agent appointed as provided in this section shall be listed on a form provided by the State Corporation Commission and delivered to the office of the clerk of the State Corporation Commission for filing. Beginning July 1, 2022, the clerk of the State Corporation Commission shall charge a fee of $10 for the filing of a resident agent appointment.E\n\nNo nonresident property owner shall maintain an action in the courts of the Commonwealth concerning property for which a designation is required by this section until such designation has been filed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":237996,"text":"As used in this section, “nonresident property owner” means any nonresident individual or group of individuals who owns and leases residential real property.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":237997,"text":"Every nonresident property owner shall appoint and continuously maintain an agent who (i) if such agent is an individual, is a resident of the Commonwealth, or if such agent is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity, is authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth and (ii) maintains a business office within the Commonwealth. Every lease executed by or on behalf of nonresident property owners regarding any such real property shall specifically designate such agent and the agent’s office address for the purpose of service of any process, notice, order, or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon such nonresident property owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":237998,"text":"Whenever any nonresident property owner fails to appoint or maintain an agent, as required in this section, or whenever his agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found, then the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall be an agent of the nonresident property owner upon whom may be served any process, notice, order, or demand. Service may be made on the Secretary of the Commonwealth or any of his staff at his office who shall forthwith cause it to be sent by registered or certified mail addressed to the nonresident property owner at his address as shown on the official tax records maintained by the locality where the property is located.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":237999,"text":"The name and office address of the agent appointed as provided in this section shall be listed on a form provided by the State Corporation Commission and delivered to the office of the clerk of the State Corporation Commission for filing. Beginning July 1, 2022, the clerk of the State Corporation Commission shall charge a fee of $10 for the filing of a resident agent appointment.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":238000,"text":"No nonresident property owner shall maintain an action in the courts of the Commonwealth concerning property for which a designation is required by this section until such designation has been filed.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15277,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:32","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:32","permalink":{"id":245887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15277,"identifier":"1","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14100,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13073,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","permalink":{"id":245885,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14100,"identifier":"12","token":"55.1\/III\/12","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13073,"edition_id":1,"name":"Rental Conveyances","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","permalink":{"id":245883,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13073,"identifier":"III","token":"55.1\/III","url":"\/55.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12707,"edition_id":1,"name":"Property and Conveyances","identifier":"55.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":244769,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12707,"identifier":"55.1","token":"55.1","url":"\/55.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61413,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/55.1-1200\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1200","metadata":false},{"id":83636,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1201","catch_line":"Applicability of chapter; local authority","url":"\/55.1-1201\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1201","metadata":false},{"id":69095,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1202","catch_line":"Notice","url":"\/55.1-1202\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1202","metadata":false},{"id":58146,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1203","catch_line":"Application; deposit, fee, and additional information","url":"\/55.1-1203\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1203","metadata":false},{"id":82906,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1204","catch_line":"Terms and conditions of rental agreement; payment of rent; copy of rental agreement for tenant","url":"\/55.1-1204\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1204","metadata":false},{"id":84327,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1204.1","catch_line":"Fee disclosure statement","url":"\/55.1-1204.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1204.1","metadata":false},{"id":62292,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1205","catch_line":"Prepaid rent; maintenance of escrow account","url":"\/55.1-1205\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1205","metadata":false},{"id":68710,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1206","catch_line":"Landlord may obtain certain insurance for tenant","url":"\/55.1-1206\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1206","metadata":false},{"id":60062,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1207","catch_line":"Effect of unsigned or undelivered rental agreement","url":"\/55.1-1207\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1207","metadata":false},{"id":64224,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1208","catch_line":"Prohibited provisions in rental agreements","url":"\/55.1-1208\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1208","metadata":false},{"id":67212,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1208.1","catch_line":"Rental agreements; child care","url":"\/55.1-1208.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1208.1","metadata":false},{"id":81763,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1209","catch_line":"Confidentiality of tenant records","url":"\/55.1-1209\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1209","metadata":false},{"id":67680,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1209.1","catch_line":"Employees of the landlord; rental dwelling unit keys and electronic key codes; policies and procedures","url":"\/55.1-1209.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1209.1","metadata":false},{"id":75393,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1210","catch_line":"Landlord and tenant remedies for abuse of access","url":"\/55.1-1210\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1210","metadata":false},{"id":65452,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1211","catch_line":"Appointment of resident agent by nonresident property owner; service of process, etc., on such agent or on Secretary of the Commonwealth","url":"\/55.1-1211\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1211","metadata":false},{"id":67894,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1212","catch_line":"Energy submetering, energy allocation equipment, sewer and water submetering equipment, and ratio utility billing systems; local government fees","url":"\/55.1-1212\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1212","metadata":false},{"id":61504,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1213","catch_line":"Transfer of deposits upon purchase","url":"\/55.1-1213\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1213","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75393,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1210","catch_line":"Landlord and tenant remedies for abuse of access","url":"\/55.1-1210\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1210","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":67894,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1212","catch_line":"Energy submetering, energy allocation equipment, sewer and water submetering equipment, and ratio utility billing systems; local government fees","url":"\/55.1-1212\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1212","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1211\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1973. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 301 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1973 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1987, chapter 360; in 2006, chapter 318<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 119<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 365<\/a> and 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":245945,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65452,"identifier":"55.1-1211","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1211","url":"\/55.1-1211\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1211\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1211","dublin_core":{"Title":"Appointment of resident agent by nonresident property owner; service of process, etc., on such agent or on Secretary of the Commonwealth","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1211","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, “nonresident property owner<\/span>” means any nonresident individual or group of individuals who owns and leases residential real property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every nonresident property owner<\/span> shall appoint and continuously maintain an agent who (i) if such agent is an individual, is a resident of the Commonwealth, or if such agent is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity, is authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth and (ii) maintains a business office within the Commonwealth. Every lease executed by or on behalf of nonresident property owners<\/span> regarding any such real property shall specifically designate such agent and the agent’s office address for the purpose of service of any process, notice<\/span>, order<\/span>, or demand required or permitted by law<\/span> to be served upon such nonresident property owner<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Whenever any nonresident property owner<\/span> fails to appoint or maintain an agent, as required in this section, or whenever his agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found, then the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall be an agent of the nonresident property owner<\/span> upon whom may be served any process, notice<\/span>, order<\/span>, or demand. Service may be made on the Secretary of the Commonwealth or any of his staff at his office who shall forthwith cause it to be sent by registered or certified mail addressed to the nonresident property owner<\/span> at his address as shown on the official tax records maintained by the locality where the property is located. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The name and office address of the agent appointed as provided in this section shall be listed on a form provided by the State Corporation Commission and delivered to the office of the clerk of the State Corporation Commission for filing. Beginning July 1, 2022, the clerk of the State Corporation Commission shall charge a fee of $10 for the filing of a resident agent appointment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> No nonresident property owner<\/span> shall maintain an action<\/span> in the courts<\/span> of the Commonwealth concerning property for which a designation is required by this section until such designation has been filed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAPPOINTMENT OF RESIDENT AGENT BY NONRESIDENT PROPERTY OWNER; SERVICE OF PROCESS,\nETC., ON SUCH AGENT OR ON SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH (\u00a7 55.1-1211)\n\nA. As used in this section, “nonresident property owner” means any\nnonresident individual or group of individuals who owns and leases residential\nreal property.\n\nB. Every nonresident property owner shall appoint and continuously maintain an\nagent who (i) if such agent is an individual, is a resident of the Commonwealth,\nor if such agent is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or\nother entity, is authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth and (ii)\nmaintains a business office within the Commonwealth. Every lease executed by or\non behalf of nonresident property owners regarding any such real property shall\nspecifically designate such agent and the agent’s office address for the\npurpose of service of any process, notice, order, or demand required or\npermitted by law to be served upon such nonresident property owner.\n\nC. Whenever any nonresident property owner fails to appoint or maintain an\nagent, as required in this section, or whenever his agent cannot with reasonable\ndiligence be found, then the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall be an agent of\nthe nonresident property owner upon whom may be served any process, notice,\norder, or demand. Service may be made on the Secretary of the Commonwealth or\nany of his staff at his office who shall forthwith cause it to be sent by\nregistered or certified mail addressed to the nonresident property owner at his\naddress as shown on the official tax records maintained by the locality where\nthe property is located.\n\nD. The name and office address of the agent appointed as provided in this\nsection shall be listed on a form provided by the State Corporation Commission\nand delivered to the office of the clerk of the State Corporation Commission for\nfiling. Beginning July 1, 2022, the clerk of the State Corporation Commission\nshall charge a fee of $10 for the filing of a resident agent appointment.\n\nE. No nonresident property owner shall maintain an action in the courts of the\nCommonwealth concerning property for which a designation is required by this\nsection until such designation has been filed.\n\nHISTORY: 1973, c. 301, \u00a7 55-218.1; 1987, c. 360; 2006, c. 318; 2008, c. 119;\n2019, cc. 365, 712; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 427.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}