{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1227.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1227.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1227.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1227.html"}],"law_id":63220,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63220,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1227","catch_line":"Tenant to maintain dwelling unit","history":"1974, c. 680, \u00a7 55-248.16; 1987, c. 428; 1999, c. 80; 2000, c. 760; 2003, c. 355; 2004, c. 226; 2008, cc. 489, 617, 640; 2009, c. 663; 2011, c. 766; 2014, c. 632; 2016, c. 744; 2017, cc. 262, 730; 2018, cc. 41, 81, 221; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"A\n\nIn addition to the provisions of the rental agreement, the tenant shall:1\n\nComply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety;2\n\nKeep that part of the dwelling unit and the part of the premises that he occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit;3\n\nKeep that part of the dwelling unit and the part of the premises that he occupies free from insects and pests, as those terms are defined in § 3.2-3900, and promptly notify the landlord of the existence of any insects or pests;4\n\nRemove from his dwelling unit all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner and in the appropriate receptacles provided by the landlord;5\n\nKeep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits;6\n\nUse in a reasonable manner all utilities and all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including an elevator in a multifamily premises, and keep all utility services paid for by the tenant to the utility service provider or its agent on at all times during the term of the rental agreement;7\n\nNot deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises or permit any person, whether known by the tenant or not, to do so;8\n\nNot remove or tamper with a properly functioning smoke alarm installed by the landlord, including removing any working batteries, so as to render the alarm inoperative. The tenant shall maintain the smoke alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of smoke alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.);9\n\nNot remove or tamper with a properly functioning carbon monoxide alarm installed by the landlord, including the removal of any working batteries, so as to render the carbon monoxide alarm inoperative. The tenant shall maintain the carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.);10\n\nUse reasonable efforts to maintain the dwelling unit and any other part of the premises that he occupies in such a condition as to prevent accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold and promptly notify the landlord of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold discovered by the tenant;11\n\nNot paint or disturb painted surfaces or make alterations in the dwelling unit without the prior written approval of the landlord, provided that (i) the dwelling unit was constructed prior to 1978 and therefore requires the landlord to provide the tenant with lead-based paint disclosures and (ii) the landlord has provided the tenant with such disclosures and the rental agreement provides that the tenant is required to obtain the landlord’s prior written approval before painting, disturbing painted surfaces, or making alterations in the dwelling unit;12\n\nBe responsible for his conduct and the conduct of other persons, whether known by the tenant or not, who are on the premises with his consent, to ensure that his neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises will not be disturbed;13\n\nAbide by all reasonable rules and regulations imposed by the landlord;14\n\nBe financially responsible for the added cost of treatment or extermination due to the tenant’s unreasonable delay in reporting the existence of any insects or pests and be financially responsible for the cost of treatment or extermination due to the tenant’s fault in failing to prevent infestation of any insects or pests in the area occupied; and15\n\nUse reasonable care to prevent any dog or other animal in possession of the tenant, authorized occupants, or guests or invitees from causing personal injuries to a third party in the dwelling unit or on the premises, or property damage to the dwelling unit or the premises.B\n\nIf the duty imposed by subdivision A 1 is greater than any duty imposed by any other subdivision of that subsection, the tenant’s duty shall be determined by reference to subdivision A 1.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":230479,"text":"In addition to the provisions of the rental agreement, the tenant shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":230480,"text":"Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":230481,"text":"Keep that part of the dwelling unit and the part of the premises that he occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":230482,"text":"Keep that part of the dwelling unit and the part of the premises that he occupies free from insects and pests, as those terms are defined in § 3.2-3900, and promptly notify the landlord of the existence of any insects or pests;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":230483,"text":"Remove from his dwelling unit all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner and in the appropriate receptacles provided by the landlord;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":230484,"text":"Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":230485,"text":"Use in a reasonable manner all utilities and all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including an elevator in a multifamily premises, and keep all utility services paid for by the tenant to the utility service provider or its agent on at all times during the term of the rental agreement;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":230486,"text":"Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises or permit any person, whether known by the tenant or not, to do so;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":230487,"text":"Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning smoke alarm installed by the landlord, including removing any working batteries, so as to render the alarm inoperative. The tenant shall maintain the smoke alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of smoke alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.);","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":230488,"text":"Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning carbon monoxide alarm installed by the landlord, including the removal of any working batteries, so as to render the carbon monoxide alarm inoperative. The tenant shall maintain the carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.);","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"A10"},"10":{"id":230489,"text":"Use reasonable efforts to maintain the dwelling unit and any other part of the premises that he occupies in such a condition as to prevent accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold and promptly notify the landlord of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold discovered by the tenant;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"A10","prefix_anchor":"A10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"A11"},"11":{"id":230490,"text":"Not paint or disturb painted surfaces or make alterations in the dwelling unit without the prior written approval of the landlord, provided that (i) the dwelling unit was constructed prior to 1978 and therefore requires the landlord to provide the tenant with lead-based paint disclosures and (ii) the landlord has provided the tenant with such disclosures and the rental agreement provides that the tenant is required to obtain the landlord’s prior written approval before painting, disturbing painted surfaces, or making alterations in the dwelling unit;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"A11","prefix_anchor":"A11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A10","next_prefix":"A12"},"12":{"id":230491,"text":"Be responsible for his conduct and the conduct of other persons, whether known by the tenant or not, who are on the premises with his consent, to ensure that his neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises will not be disturbed;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"A12","prefix_anchor":"A12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A11","next_prefix":"A13"},"13":{"id":230492,"text":"Abide by all reasonable rules and regulations imposed by the landlord;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"A13","prefix_anchor":"A13","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A12","next_prefix":"A14"},"14":{"id":230493,"text":"Be financially responsible for the added cost of treatment or extermination due to the tenant’s unreasonable delay in reporting the existence of any insects or pests and be financially responsible for the cost of treatment or extermination due to the tenant’s fault in failing to prevent infestation of any insects or pests in the area occupied; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"A14","prefix_anchor":"A14","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A13","next_prefix":"A15"},"15":{"id":230494,"text":"Use reasonable care to prevent any dog or other animal in possession of the tenant, authorized occupants, or guests or invitees from causing personal injuries to a third party in the dwelling unit or on the premises, or property damage to the dwelling unit or the premises.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","15"],"prefix":"15","entire_prefix":"A15","prefix_anchor":"A15","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A14","next_prefix":"B"},"16":{"id":230495,"text":"If the duty imposed by subdivision A 1 is greater than any duty imposed by any other subdivision of that subsection, the tenant’s duty shall be determined by reference to subdivision A 1.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A15"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15729,"edition_id":1,"name":"Tenant Obligations","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:58:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:58:28","permalink":{"id":246011,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15729,"identifier":"3","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/3\/","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":63220,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1227","catch_line":"Tenant to maintain dwelling unit","url":"\/55.1-1227\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1227","metadata":false},{"id":82736,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1228","catch_line":"Rules and regulations","url":"\/55.1-1228\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1228","metadata":false},{"id":64337,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1229","catch_line":"Access; consent; correction of nonemergency conditions; relocation of tenant; security systems","url":"\/55.1-1229\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1229","metadata":false},{"id":73723,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1230","catch_line":"Access following entry of certain court orders","url":"\/55.1-1230\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1230","metadata":false},{"id":60332,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1231","catch_line":"Relocation of tenant where mold remediation needs to be performed in the dwelling unit","url":"\/55.1-1231\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1231","metadata":false},{"id":86019,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1232","catch_line":"Use and occupancy by tenant","url":"\/55.1-1232\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1232","metadata":false},{"id":86336,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1233","catch_line":"Tenant to surrender possession of dwelling unit","url":"\/55.1-1233\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1233","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":82736,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1228","catch_line":"Rules and regulations","url":"\/55.1-1228\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1228","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1227\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1974. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 680 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 1974 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 13 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 428; in 1999, chapter 80<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 760<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 355<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 226<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 489<\/a>, 617<\/a>, and 640<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 663<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 766<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 632<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 744<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 262<\/a> and 730<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 41<\/a>, 81<\/a>, and 221<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":69895,"section_number":"15.2-922","catch_line":"Smoke alarms in certain buildings","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-922\/"},{"id":65460,"section_number":"36-99.5","catch_line":"Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-99.5\/"},{"id":74964,"section_number":"55.1-1220","catch_line":"Landlord to maintain fit premises","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1220\/"},{"id":55889,"section_number":"55.1-1226","catch_line":"Security deposits","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1226\/"},{"id":64337,"section_number":"55.1-1229","catch_line":"Access; consent; correction of nonemergency conditions; relocation of tenant; security systems","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1229\/"},{"id":60332,"section_number":"55.1-1231","catch_line":"Relocation of tenant where mold remediation needs to be performed in the dwelling unit","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1231\/"},{"id":60083,"section_number":"55.1-1235","catch_line":"Early termination of rental agreement by military personnel","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1235\/"},{"id":68972,"section_number":"55.1-1236","catch_line":"Early termination of rental agreements by victims of family abuse, sexual abuse or other criminal sexual assault, or stalking","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1236\/"},{"id":60662,"section_number":"55.1-1245","catch_line":"(Effective the later of July 1, 2028, or 7 years after the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency expires) Noncompliance with rental agreement; monetary penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1245\/"},{"id":77115,"section_number":"55.1-1248","catch_line":"Remedy by repair, etc.; emergencies","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1248\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":65870,"section_number":"27-94","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-94\/"},{"id":63769,"section_number":"3.2-3900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-3900\/"},{"id":71583,"section_number":"36-105","catch_line":"Enforcement of Code; appeals from decisions of local department; inspection of buildings; inspection warrants; inspection of elevators; issuance of permits","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-105\/"},{"id":78167,"section_number":"36-97","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-97\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246013,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63220,"identifier":"55.1-1227","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1227","url":"\/55.1-1227\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1227\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1227","dublin_core":{"Title":"Tenant to maintain dwelling unit","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1227","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In addition to the provisions of the rental agreement<\/span>, the tenant<\/span> shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants<\/span> by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Keep that part of the dwelling unit<\/span> and the part of the premises<\/span> that he occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises<\/span> permit; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Keep that part of the dwelling unit<\/span> and the part of the premises<\/span> that he occupies free from insects and pests, as those terms are defined in § 3.2-3900<\/a>, and promptly notify the landlord<\/span> of the existence of any insects or pests; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Remove from his dwelling unit<\/span> all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner and in the appropriate receptacles provided by the landlord<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit<\/span> or used by the tenant<\/span> as clean as their condition permits; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Use in a reasonable manner all utilities and all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including an elevator in a multifamily premises<\/span>, and keep all utility<\/span> services paid for by the tenant<\/span> to the utility<\/span> service provider or its agent on at all times during the term of the rental agreement<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises<\/span> or permit any person<\/span>, whether known by the tenant<\/span> or not, to do so; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning smoke alarm installed by the landlord<\/span>, including removing any working batteries, so as to render the alarm inoperative. The tenant<\/span> shall maintain the smoke alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of smoke alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94<\/a> et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105<\/a>, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97<\/a> et seq.); <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning carbon monoxide alarm installed by the landlord<\/span>, including the removal of any working batteries, so as to render the carbon monoxide alarm inoperative. The tenant<\/span> shall maintain the carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94<\/a> et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105<\/a>, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97<\/a> et seq.); <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Use reasonable efforts to maintain the dwelling unit<\/span> and any other part of the premises<\/span> that he occupies in such a condition as to prevent accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold and promptly notify the landlord<\/span> of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold<\/span> discovered by the tenant<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Not paint or disturb painted surfaces or make alterations in the dwelling unit<\/span> without the prior written approval of the landlord<\/span>, provided that (i) the dwelling unit<\/span> was constructed prior to 1978 and therefore requires the landlord<\/span> to provide the tenant<\/span> with lead-based paint disclosures and (ii) the landlord<\/span> has provided the tenant<\/span> with such disclosures and the rental agreement<\/span> provides that the tenant<\/span> is required to obtain the landlord<\/span>’s prior written approval before painting, disturbing painted surfaces, or making alterations in the dwelling unit<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Be responsible for his conduct and the conduct of other persons<\/span>, whether known by the tenant<\/span> or not, who are on the premises<\/span> with his consent, to ensure that his neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises<\/span> will not be disturbed; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Abide by all reasonable rules and regulations imposed by the landlord<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> Be financially responsible for the added cost of treatment or extermination due to the tenant<\/span>’s unreasonable delay in reporting the existence of any insects or pests and be financially responsible for the cost of treatment or extermination due to the tenant<\/span>’s fault in failing to prevent infestation of any insects or pests in the area occupied; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

15.<\/span> Use reasonable care to prevent any dog or other animal in possession<\/span> of the tenant<\/span>, authorized occupants<\/span>, or guests or invitees from causing personal injuries to a third party<\/span> in the dwelling unit<\/span> or on the premises<\/span>, or property damage to the dwelling unit<\/span> or the premises<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If the duty imposed by subdivision A 1 is greater than any duty imposed by any other subdivision of that subsection, the tenant<\/span>’s duty shall be determined by reference to subdivision A 1. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTENANT TO MAINTAIN DWELLING UNIT (\u00a7 55.1-1227)\n\nA. In addition to the provisions of the rental agreement, the tenant shall:\n\n 1. Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable\n provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and\n safety;\n\n 2. Keep that part of the dwelling unit and the part of the premises that he\n occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit;\n\n 3. Keep that part of the dwelling unit and the part of the premises that he\n occupies free from insects and pests, as those terms are defined in §\n 3.2-3900, and promptly notify the landlord of the existence of any insects or\n pests;\n\n 4. Remove from his dwelling unit all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste\n in a clean and safe manner and in the appropriate receptacles provided by the\n landlord;\n\n 5. Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as\n clean as their condition permits;\n\n 6. Use in a reasonable manner all utilities and all electrical, plumbing,\n sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and\n appliances, including an elevator in a multifamily premises, and keep all\n utility services paid for by the tenant to the utility service provider or its\n agent on at all times during the term of the rental agreement;\n\n 7. Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove\n any part of the premises or permit any person, whether known by the tenant or\n not, to do so;\n\n 8. Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning smoke alarm installed by\n the landlord, including removing any working batteries, so as to render the\n alarm inoperative. The tenant shall maintain the smoke alarm in accordance\n with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of smoke alarms established\n in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C\n 6 of § 36-105, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§\n 36-97 et seq.);\n\n 9. Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning carbon monoxide alarm\n installed by the landlord, including the removal of any working batteries, so\n as to render the carbon monoxide alarm inoperative. The tenant shall maintain\n the carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for\n maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms established in the Statewide Fire\n Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105,\n Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.);\n\n 10. Use reasonable efforts to maintain the dwelling unit and any other part of\n the premises that he occupies in such a condition as to prevent accumulation\n of moisture and the growth of mold and promptly notify the landlord of any\n moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold\n discovered by the tenant;\n\n 11. Not paint or disturb painted surfaces or make alterations in the dwelling\n unit without the prior written approval of the landlord, provided that (i) the\n dwelling unit was constructed prior to 1978 and therefore requires the\n landlord to provide the tenant with lead-based paint disclosures and (ii) the\n landlord has provided the tenant with such disclosures and the rental\n agreement provides that the tenant is required to obtain the landlord’s\n prior written approval before painting, disturbing painted surfaces, or making\n alterations in the dwelling unit;\n\n 12. Be responsible for his conduct and the conduct of other persons, whether\n known by the tenant or not, who are on the premises with his consent, to\n ensure that his neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises will not\n be disturbed;\n\n 13. Abide by all reasonable rules and regulations imposed by the landlord;\n\n 14. Be financially responsible for the added cost of treatment or\n extermination due to the tenant’s unreasonable delay in reporting the\n existence of any insects or pests and be financially responsible for the cost\n of treatment or extermination due to the tenant’s fault in failing to\n prevent infestation of any insects or pests in the area occupied; and\n\n 15. Use reasonable care to prevent any dog or other animal in possession of\n the tenant, authorized occupants, or guests or invitees from causing personal\n injuries to a third party in the dwelling unit or on the premises, or property\n damage to the dwelling unit or the premises.\n\nB. If the duty imposed by subdivision A 1 is greater than any duty imposed by\nany other subdivision of that subsection, the tenant’s duty shall be\ndetermined by reference to subdivision A 1.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 680, \u00a7 55-248.16; 1987, c. 428; 1999, c. 80; 2000, c. 760;\n2003, c. 355; 2004, c. 226; 2008, cc. 489, 617, 640; 2009, c. 663; 2011, c. 766;\n2014, c. 632; 2016, c. 744; 2017, cc. 262, 730; 2018, cc. 41, 81, 221; 2019, c.\n712.","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}}