{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1229.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1229.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1229.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1229.html"}],"law_id":64337,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64337,"structure_id":15729,"section_number":"55.1-1229","catch_line":"Access; consent; correction of nonemergency conditions; relocation of tenant; security systems","history":"1974, c. 680, \u00a7 55-248.18; 1993, c. 634; 1995, c. 601; 1999, c. 65; 2000, c. 760; 2001, c. 524; 2004, c. 307; 2008, cc. 489, 617; 2009, c. 663; 2011, c. 766; 2014, c. 632; 2015, c. 596; 2016, c. 744; 2017, c. 730; 2018, cc. 41, 81; 2019, c. 712; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 409; 2024, c. 46.","full_text":"A\n\n1. The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises; make necessary or agreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; supply necessary or agreed-upon services; or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.2\n\nIf, upon inspection of a dwelling unit during the term of a tenancy, the landlord determines there is a violation by the tenant of § 55.1-1227 or the rental agreement materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning in accordance with § 55.1-1248, the landlord may make such repairs and send the tenant an invoice for payment. If, upon inspection of the dwelling unit during the term of a tenancy, the landlord discovers a violation of the rental agreement, this chapter, or other applicable law, the landlord may send a written notice of termination pursuant to § 55.1-1245.3\n\nIf the rental agreement so provides and if a tenant without reasonable justification declines to permit the landlord or managing agent to exhibit the dwelling unit for sale or lease, the landlord may recover damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees against such tenant.\n\t\t\t\tAs used in this subdivision, “reasonable justification” includes the tenant’s reasonable concern for his own health, or the health of any authorized occupant, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17 in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16, provided that the tenant has provided written notice to the landlord informing the landlord of such concern. In such circumstances, the tenant shall provide to the landlord or managing agent a video tour of the dwelling unit or other acceptable substitute for exhibiting the dwelling unit for sale or lease.4\n\nThe landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or if it is impractical to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Unless impractical to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 72 hours’ notice of routine maintenance to be performed that has not been requested by the tenant. Such routine maintenance shall be performed within 14 days of delivery of the notice to the tenant, and the notice shall state the last date on which the maintenance may possibly be performed. If the tenant makes a request for maintenance, the landlord is not required to provide notice to the tenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17 in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16, the tenant may provide written notice to the landlord requesting that one or more nonemergency property conditions in the dwelling unit not be addressed in the normal course of business of the landlord due to such communicable disease of public health threat. In such case, the tenant shall be deemed to have waived any and all claims and rights under this chapter against the landlord for failure to address such nonemergency property conditions. At any time thereafter, the tenant may consent in writing to the landlord addressing such nonemergency property conditions in the normal course of business of the landlord. In the case of a tenant who has provided notice that he does not want nonemergency repairs made during the state of emergency due to a communicable disease of public health threat, the landlord may nonetheless enter the dwelling unit to do nonemergency repairs and maintenance with at least seven days’ written notice to the tenant and at a time consented to by the tenant, no more than once every six months, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord are wearing all appropriate and reasonable personal protective equipment as required by state law. Furthermore, if the landlord is required to conduct maintenance or an inspection pursuant to the agreement for the loan or insurance policy that covers the dwelling unit, the tenant shall allow such maintenance or inspection, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord are wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment as required by state law.5\n\nDuring the pendency of an unlawful detainer filed by the landlord against the tenant, the landlord may request the court to enter an order requiring the tenant to provide the landlord with access to such dwelling unit.B\n\nUpon the sole determination by the landlord of the existence of a nonemergency property condition in the dwelling unit that requires the tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit in order for the landlord to properly remedy such property condition, the landlord may, upon at least 30 days’ written notice to the tenant, require the tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit for a period not to exceed 30 days to a comparable dwelling unit, or hotel, as selected by the landlord and at no expense or cost to the tenant. The landlord shall not be required to pay for any other expenses of the tenant that arise after the temporary relocation period. The landlord and tenant may agree for the tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit in less than 30 days. For purposes of this subsection, “nonemergency property condition” means (i) a condition in the dwelling unit that, in the determination of the landlord, is necessary for the landlord to remedy in order for the landlord to be in compliance with § 55.1-1220; (ii) the condition does not need to be remedied within a 24-hour period, with any condition that needs to be remedied within 24 hours being defined as an “emergency condition”; and (iii) the condition can only be effectively remedied by the temporary relocation of the tenant pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.\n\t\t\tThe tenant shall continue to be responsible for payment of rent under the rental agreement during the period of any temporary relocation. The landlord shall pay all costs of repairs or remediation required to address the nonemergency property condition. Refusal of the tenant to cooperate with a temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed a breach of the rental agreement, unless the tenant agrees to vacate the unit and terminate the rental agreement within the 30-day notice period. If the landlord properly remedies the nonemergency property condition within the 30-day period, nothing in this section shall be construed to entitle the tenant to terminate the rental agreement. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the landlord from taking legal action against the tenant for any noncompliance that occurs during the period of any temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection. During the pendency of an unlawful detainer filed by the landlord against the tenant, the landlord may request the court to enter an order requiring the tenant to provide the landlord with access to such dwelling unit.C\n\nThe landlord has no other right to access except by court order or that permitted by §§ 55.1-1248 and 55.1-1249 or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.D\n\nThe tenant may install within the dwelling unit new security systems that the tenant may believe necessary to ensure his safety, including chain latch devices approved by the landlord and fire detection devices, provided that:1\n\nInstallation does no permanent damage to any part of the dwelling unit;2\n\nA duplicate of all keys and instructions for the operation of all devices are given to the landlord; and3\n\nUpon termination of the tenancy, the tenant is responsible for payment to the landlord for reasonable costs incurred for the removal of all such devices and repairs to all damaged areas.E\n\nUpon written request of a tenant in a dwelling unit, the landlord shall install a carbon monoxide alarm in the tenant’s dwelling unit within 90 days. The landlord may charge the tenant a reasonable fee to recover the costs of the equipment and labor for such installation. The landlord’s installation of a carbon monoxide alarm shall be in compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.).","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":234141,"text":"1. The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises; make necessary or agreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; supply necessary or agreed-upon services; or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A2"},"1":{"id":234142,"text":"If, upon inspection of a dwelling unit during the term of a tenancy, the landlord determines there is a violation by the tenant of § 55.1-1227 or the rental agreement materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning in accordance with § 55.1-1248, the landlord may make such repairs and send the tenant an invoice for payment. If, upon inspection of the dwelling unit during the term of a tenancy, the landlord discovers a violation of the rental agreement, this chapter, or other applicable law, the landlord may send a written notice of termination pursuant to § 55.1-1245.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A3"},"2":{"id":234143,"text":"If the rental agreement so provides and if a tenant without reasonable justification declines to permit the landlord or managing agent to exhibit the dwelling unit for sale or lease, the landlord may recover damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees against such tenant.\n\t\t\t\tAs used in this subdivision, “reasonable justification” includes the tenant’s reasonable concern for his own health, or the health of any authorized occupant, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17 in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16, provided that the tenant has provided written notice to the landlord informing the landlord of such concern. In such circumstances, the tenant shall provide to the landlord or managing agent a video tour of the dwelling unit or other acceptable substitute for exhibiting the dwelling unit for sale or lease.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"3":{"id":234144,"text":"The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or if it is impractical to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Unless impractical to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 72 hours’ notice of routine maintenance to be performed that has not been requested by the tenant. Such routine maintenance shall be performed within 14 days of delivery of the notice to the tenant, and the notice shall state the last date on which the maintenance may possibly be performed. If the tenant makes a request for maintenance, the landlord is not required to provide notice to the tenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17 in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16, the tenant may provide written notice to the landlord requesting that one or more nonemergency property conditions in the dwelling unit not be addressed in the normal course of business of the landlord due to such communicable disease of public health threat. In such case, the tenant shall be deemed to have waived any and all claims and rights under this chapter against the landlord for failure to address such nonemergency property conditions. At any time thereafter, the tenant may consent in writing to the landlord addressing such nonemergency property conditions in the normal course of business of the landlord. In the case of a tenant who has provided notice that he does not want nonemergency repairs made during the state of emergency due to a communicable disease of public health threat, the landlord may nonetheless enter the dwelling unit to do nonemergency repairs and maintenance with at least seven days’ written notice to the tenant and at a time consented to by the tenant, no more than once every six months, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord are wearing all appropriate and reasonable personal protective equipment as required by state law. Furthermore, if the landlord is required to conduct maintenance or an inspection pursuant to the agreement for the loan or insurance policy that covers the dwelling unit, the tenant shall allow such maintenance or inspection, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord are wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment as required by state law.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"4":{"id":234145,"text":"During the pendency of an unlawful detainer filed by the landlord against the tenant, the landlord may request the court to enter an order requiring the tenant to provide the landlord with access to such dwelling unit.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":234146,"text":"Upon the sole determination by the landlord of the existence of a nonemergency property condition in the dwelling unit that requires the tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit in order for the landlord to properly remedy such property condition, the landlord may, upon at least 30 days’ written notice to the tenant, require the tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit for a period not to exceed 30 days to a comparable dwelling unit, or hotel, as selected by the landlord and at no expense or cost to the tenant. The landlord shall not be required to pay for any other expenses of the tenant that arise after the temporary relocation period. The landlord and tenant may agree for the tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit in less than 30 days. For purposes of this subsection, “nonemergency property condition” means (i) a condition in the dwelling unit that, in the determination of the landlord, is necessary for the landlord to remedy in order for the landlord to be in compliance with § 55.1-1220; (ii) the condition does not need to be remedied within a 24-hour period, with any condition that needs to be remedied within 24 hours being defined as an “emergency condition”; and (iii) the condition can only be effectively remedied by the temporary relocation of the tenant pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.\n\t\t\tThe tenant shall continue to be responsible for payment of rent under the rental agreement during the period of any temporary relocation. The landlord shall pay all costs of repairs or remediation required to address the nonemergency property condition. Refusal of the tenant to cooperate with a temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed a breach of the rental agreement, unless the tenant agrees to vacate the unit and terminate the rental agreement within the 30-day notice period. If the landlord properly remedies the nonemergency property condition within the 30-day period, nothing in this section shall be construed to entitle the tenant to terminate the rental agreement. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the landlord from taking legal action against the tenant for any noncompliance that occurs during the period of any temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection. During the pendency of an unlawful detainer filed by the landlord against the tenant, the landlord may request the court to enter an order requiring the tenant to provide the landlord with access to such dwelling unit.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":234147,"text":"The landlord has no other right to access except by court order or that permitted by §§ 55.1-1248 and 55.1-1249 or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":234148,"text":"The tenant may install within the dwelling unit new security systems that the tenant may believe necessary to ensure his safety, including chain latch devices approved by the landlord and fire detection devices, provided that:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"8":{"id":234149,"text":"Installation does no permanent damage to any part of the dwelling unit;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"9":{"id":234150,"text":"A duplicate of all keys and instructions for the operation of all devices are given to the landlord; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"10":{"id":234151,"text":"Upon termination of the tenancy, the tenant is responsible for payment to the landlord for reasonable costs incurred for the removal of all such devices and repairs to all damaged areas.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"E"},"11":{"id":234152,"text":"Upon written request of a tenant in a dwelling unit, the landlord shall install a carbon monoxide alarm in the tenant’s dwelling unit within 90 days. The landlord may charge the tenant a reasonable fee to recover the costs of the equipment and labor for such installation. The landlord’s installation of a carbon monoxide alarm shall be in compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D3"}},"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}],"previous_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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1229\/","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 16 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 1993, chapter 634; in 1995, chapter 601<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 65<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 760<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 524<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 307<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 489<\/a> and 617<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 663<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 766<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 632<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 596<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 744<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 730<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 41<\/a> and 81<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 46<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64581,"section_number":"55.1-1982","catch_line":"Conversion condominiums; special provisions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1982\/"},{"id":71295,"section_number":"55.1-2164","catch_line":"Conversion buildings","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2164\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":78167,"section_number":"36-97","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-97\/"},{"id":65984,"section_number":"44-146.16","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/44-146.16\/"},{"id":78828,"section_number":"44-146.17","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Governor","order_by":null,"url":"\/44-146.17\/"},{"id":74964,"section_number":"55.1-1220","catch_line":"Landlord to maintain fit premises","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1220\/"},{"id":63220,"section_number":"55.1-1227","catch_line":"Tenant to maintain dwelling unit","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1227\/"},{"id":77115,"section_number":"55.1-1248","catch_line":"Remedy by repair, etc.; emergencies","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1248\/"},{"id":80239,"section_number":"55.1-1249","catch_line":"Remedies for absence, nonuse, and abandonment","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1249\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246021,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64337,"identifier":"55.1-1229","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1229","url":"\/55.1-1229\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1229\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/3\/55.1-1229","dublin_core":{"Title":"Access; consent; correction of nonemergency conditions; relocation of tenant; security systems","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1229","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> 1. The tenant<\/span> shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord<\/span> to enter into the dwelling unit<\/span> in order<\/span> to inspect the premises<\/span>; make necessary or agreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; supply necessary or agreed-upon services; or exhibit the dwelling unit<\/span> to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants<\/span>, workmen, or contractors. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If, upon inspection of a dwelling unit<\/span> during the term of a tenancy, the landlord<\/span> determines there is a violation by the tenant<\/span> of § 55.1-1227<\/a> or the rental agreement<\/span> materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning in accordance with § 55.1-1248<\/a>, the landlord<\/span> may make such repairs and send the tenant<\/span> an invoice for payment. If, upon inspection of the dwelling unit<\/span> during the term of a tenancy, the landlord<\/span> discovers a violation of the rental agreement<\/span>, this chapter, or other applicable law<\/span>, the landlord<\/span> may send a written notice<\/span> of termination pursuant to § 55.1-1245<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If the rental agreement<\/span> so provides and if a tenant<\/span> without reasonable justification<\/span> declines to permit the landlord<\/span> or managing agent<\/span> to exhibit the dwelling unit<\/span> for sale or lease, the landlord<\/span> may recover damages<\/span>, costs, and reasonable attorney fees against such tenant<\/span>.\n\t\t\t\tAs used in this subdivision, “reasonable justification<\/span>” includes the tenant<\/span>’s reasonable concern for his own health, or the health of any authorized occupant<\/span>, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17<\/a> in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16<\/a>, provided that the tenant<\/span> has provided written notice<\/span> to the landlord<\/span> informing the landlord<\/span> of such concern. In such circumstances, the tenant<\/span> shall provide to the landlord<\/span> or managing agent<\/span> a video tour of the dwelling unit<\/span> or other acceptable substitute for exhibiting the dwelling unit<\/span> for sale or lease. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The landlord<\/span> may enter the dwelling unit<\/span> without consent of the tenant<\/span> in case of emergency. The landlord<\/span> shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant<\/span>. Except in case of emergency or if it is impractical to do so, the landlord<\/span> shall give the tenant<\/span> notice of his intent<\/span> to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Unless impractical to do so, the landlord<\/span> shall give the tenant<\/span> at least 72 hours’ notice of routine maintenance to be performed that has not been requested by the tenant<\/span>. Such routine maintenance shall be performed within 14 days of delivery of the notice to the tenant<\/span>, and the notice shall state the last date on which the maintenance may possibly be performed. If the tenant<\/span> makes a request for maintenance, the landlord<\/span> is not required to provide notice to the tenant<\/span>. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17<\/a> in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16<\/a>, the tenant<\/span> may provide written notice<\/span> to the landlord<\/span> requesting that one or more nonemergency property conditions<\/span> in the dwelling unit<\/span> not be addressed in the normal course of business of the landlord<\/span> due to such communicable disease of public health threat. In such case, the tenant<\/span> shall be deemed to have waived any and all claims and rights under this chapter against the landlord<\/span> for failure to address such nonemergency property conditions<\/span>. At any time thereafter, the tenant<\/span> may consent in writing to the landlord<\/span> addressing such nonemergency property conditions<\/span> in the normal course of business of the landlord<\/span>. In the case of a tenant<\/span> who has provided notice that he does not want nonemergency repairs made during the state of emergency due to a communicable disease of public health threat, the landlord<\/span> may nonetheless enter the dwelling unit<\/span> to do nonemergency repairs and maintenance with at least seven days’ written notice<\/span> to the tenant<\/span> and at a time consented to by the tenant<\/span>, no more than once every six months, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord<\/span> are wearing all appropriate and reasonable personal protective equipment as required by state law<\/span>. Furthermore, if the landlord<\/span> is required to conduct maintenance or an inspection pursuant to the agreement for the loan or insurance policy that covers the dwelling unit<\/span>, the tenant<\/span> shall allow such maintenance or inspection, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord<\/span> are wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment as required by state law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> During the pendency of an unlawful detainer<\/span> filed by the landlord<\/span> against the tenant<\/span>, the landlord<\/span> may request the court<\/span> to enter an order<\/span> requiring the tenant<\/span> to provide the landlord<\/span> with access to such dwelling unit<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Upon the sole determination by the landlord<\/span> of the existence of a nonemergency property condition<\/span> in the dwelling unit<\/span> that requires the tenant<\/span> to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit<\/span> in order<\/span> for the landlord<\/span> to properly remedy such property condition, the landlord<\/span> may, upon at least 30 days’ written notice<\/span> to the tenant<\/span>, require the tenant<\/span> to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit<\/span> for a period not to exceed 30 days to a comparable dwelling unit<\/span>, or hotel, as selected by the landlord<\/span> and at no expense or cost to the tenant<\/span>. The landlord<\/span> shall not be required to pay for any other expenses of the tenant<\/span> that arise after the temporary relocation period. The landlord<\/span> and tenant<\/span> may agree for the tenant<\/span> to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit<\/span> in less than 30 days. For purposes of this subsection, “nonemergency property condition<\/span>” means (i) a condition in the dwelling unit<\/span> that, in the determination of the landlord<\/span>, is necessary for the landlord<\/span> to remedy in order<\/span> for the landlord<\/span> to be in compliance with § 55.1-1220<\/a>; (ii) the condition does not need to be remedied within a 24-hour period, with any condition that needs to be remedied within 24 hours being defined as an “emergency condition<\/span>”; and (iii) the condition can only be effectively remedied by the temporary relocation of the tenant<\/span> pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.\n\t\t\tThe tenant<\/span> shall continue to be responsible for payment of rent<\/span> under the rental agreement<\/span> during the period of any temporary relocation. The landlord<\/span> shall pay all costs of repairs or remediation required to address the nonemergency property condition<\/span>. Refusal of the tenant<\/span> to cooperate with a temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed a breach of the rental agreement<\/span>, unless the tenant<\/span> agrees to vacate the unit and terminate the rental agreement<\/span> within the 30-day notice period. If the landlord<\/span> properly remedies the nonemergency property condition<\/span> within the 30-day period, nothing in this section shall be construed to entitle the tenant<\/span> to terminate the rental agreement<\/span>. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the landlord<\/span> from taking legal action<\/span> against the tenant<\/span> for any noncompliance that occurs during the period of any temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection. During the pendency of an unlawful detainer<\/span> filed by the landlord<\/span> against the tenant<\/span>, the landlord<\/span> may request the court<\/span> to enter an order<\/span> requiring the tenant<\/span> to provide the landlord<\/span> with access to such dwelling unit<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The landlord<\/span> has no other right to access except by court order<\/span> or that permitted by §§ 55.1-1248<\/a> and 55.1-1249<\/a> or if the tenant<\/span> has abandoned or surrendered the premises<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The tenant<\/span> may install within the dwelling unit<\/span> new security systems that the tenant<\/span> may believe necessary to ensure his safety, including chain latch devices approved by the landlord<\/span> and fire detection devices, provided that: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Installation does no permanent damage to any part of the dwelling unit<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A duplicate of all keys and instructions for the operation of all devices are given to the landlord<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Upon termination of the tenancy, the tenant<\/span> is responsible for payment to the landlord<\/span> for reasonable costs incurred for the removal of all such devices and repairs to all damaged areas. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Upon written request of a tenant<\/span> in a dwelling unit<\/span>, the landlord<\/span> shall install a carbon monoxide alarm in the tenant<\/span>’s dwelling unit<\/span> within 90 days. The landlord<\/span> may charge the tenant<\/span> a reasonable fee to recover the costs of the equipment and labor for such installation. The landlord<\/span>’s installation of a carbon monoxide alarm shall be in compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nACCESS; CONSENT; CORRECTION OF NONEMERGENCY CONDITIONS; RELOCATION OF TENANT;\nSECURITY SYSTEMS (\u00a7 55.1-1229)\n\nA. 1. The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to\nenter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises; make necessary or\nagreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; supply necessary\nor agreed-upon services; or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual\npurchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.\n\n 2. If, upon inspection of a dwelling unit during the term of a tenancy, the\n landlord determines there is a violation by the tenant of § 55.1-1227 or\n the rental agreement materially affecting health and safety that can be\n remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning in accordance\n with § 55.1-1248, the landlord may make such repairs and send the tenant\n an invoice for payment. If, upon inspection of the dwelling unit during the\n term of a tenancy, the landlord discovers a violation of the rental agreement,\n this chapter, or other applicable law, the landlord may send a written notice\n of termination pursuant to § 55.1-1245.\n\n 3. If the rental agreement so provides and if a tenant without reasonable\n justification declines to permit the landlord or managing agent to exhibit the\n dwelling unit for sale or lease, the landlord may recover damages, costs, and\n reasonable attorney fees against such tenant.\n \t\t\t\tAs used in this subdivision, “reasonable justification”\n includes the tenant’s reasonable concern for his own health, or the\n health of any authorized occupant, during a state of emergency declared by the\n Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17 in response to a communicable disease of\n public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16, provided that the tenant\n has provided written notice to the landlord informing the landlord of such\n concern. In such circumstances, the tenant shall provide to the landlord or\n managing agent a video tour of the dwelling unit or other acceptable\n substitute for exhibiting the dwelling unit for sale or lease.\n\n 4. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in\n case of emergency. The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it\n to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or if it is impractical to\n do so, the landlord shall give the tenant notice of his intent to enter and\n may enter only at reasonable times. Unless impractical to do so, the landlord\n shall give the tenant at least 72 hours’ notice of routine maintenance\n to be performed that has not been requested by the tenant. Such routine\n maintenance shall be performed within 14 days of delivery of the notice to the\n tenant, and the notice shall state the last date on which the maintenance may\n possibly be performed. If the tenant makes a request for maintenance, the\n landlord is not required to provide notice to the tenant. Notwithstanding the\n foregoing, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to\n § 44-146.17 in response to a communicable disease of public health threat\n as defined in § 44-146.16, the tenant may provide written notice to the\n landlord requesting that one or more nonemergency property conditions in the\n dwelling unit not be addressed in the normal course of business of the\n landlord due to such communicable disease of public health threat. In such\n case, the tenant shall be deemed to have waived any and all claims and rights\n under this chapter against the landlord for failure to address such\n nonemergency property conditions. At any time thereafter, the tenant may\n consent in writing to the landlord addressing such nonemergency property\n conditions in the normal course of business of the landlord. In the case of a\n tenant who has provided notice that he does not want nonemergency repairs made\n during the state of emergency due to a communicable disease of public health\n threat, the landlord may nonetheless enter the dwelling unit to do\n nonemergency repairs and maintenance with at least seven days’ written\n notice to the tenant and at a time consented to by the tenant, no more than\n once every six months, provided that the employees and agents sent by the\n landlord are wearing all appropriate and reasonable personal protective\n equipment as required by state law. Furthermore, if the landlord is required\n to conduct maintenance or an inspection pursuant to the agreement for the loan\n or insurance policy that covers the dwelling unit, the tenant shall allow such\n maintenance or inspection, provided that the employees and agents sent by the\n landlord are wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment as required\n by state law.\n\n 5. During the pendency of an unlawful detainer filed by the landlord against\n the tenant, the landlord may request the court to enter an order requiring the\n tenant to provide the landlord with access to such dwelling unit.\n\nB. Upon the sole determination by the landlord of the existence of a\nnonemergency property condition in the dwelling unit that requires the tenant to\ntemporarily vacate the dwelling unit in order for the landlord to properly\nremedy such property condition, the landlord may, upon at least 30 days’\nwritten notice to the tenant, require the tenant to temporarily vacate the\ndwelling unit for a period not to exceed 30 days to a comparable dwelling unit,\nor hotel, as selected by the landlord and at no expense or cost to the tenant.\nThe landlord shall not be required to pay for any other expenses of the tenant\nthat arise after the temporary relocation period. The landlord and tenant may\nagree for the tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit in less than 30\ndays. For purposes of this subsection, “nonemergency property\ncondition” means (i) a condition in the dwelling unit that, in the\ndetermination of the landlord, is necessary for the landlord to remedy in order\nfor the landlord to be in compliance with § 55.1-1220; (ii) the condition\ndoes not need to be remedied within a 24-hour period, with any condition that\nneeds to be remedied within 24 hours being defined as an “emergency\ncondition”; and (iii) the condition can only be effectively remedied by\nthe temporary relocation of the tenant pursuant to the provisions of this\nsubsection.\n\t\t\tThe tenant shall continue to be responsible for payment of rent under the\nrental agreement during the period of any temporary relocation. The landlord\nshall pay all costs of repairs or remediation required to address the\nnonemergency property condition. Refusal of the tenant to cooperate with a\ntemporary relocation pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed a breach of the\nrental agreement, unless the tenant agrees to vacate the unit and terminate the\nrental agreement within the 30-day notice period. If the landlord properly\nremedies the nonemergency property condition within the 30-day period, nothing\nin this section shall be construed to entitle the tenant to terminate the rental\nagreement. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the\nlandlord from taking legal action against the tenant for any noncompliance that\noccurs during the period of any temporary relocation pursuant to this\nsubsection. During the pendency of an unlawful detainer filed by the landlord\nagainst the tenant, the landlord may request the court to enter an order\nrequiring the tenant to provide the landlord with access to such dwelling unit.\n\nC. The landlord has no other right to access except by court order or that\npermitted by §§ 55.1-1248 and 55.1-1249 or if the tenant has abandoned\nor surrendered the premises.\n\nD. The tenant may install within the dwelling unit new security systems that the\ntenant may believe necessary to ensure his safety, including chain latch devices\napproved by the landlord and fire detection devices, provided that:\n\n 1. Installation does no permanent damage to any part of the dwelling unit;\n\n 2. A duplicate of all keys and instructions for the operation of all devices\n are given to the landlord; and\n\n 3. Upon termination of the tenancy, the tenant is responsible for payment to\n the landlord for reasonable costs incurred for the removal of all such devices\n and repairs to all damaged areas.\n\nE. Upon written request of a tenant in a dwelling unit, the landlord shall\ninstall a carbon monoxide alarm in the tenant’s dwelling unit within 90\ndays. The landlord may charge the tenant a reasonable fee to recover the costs\nof the equipment and labor for such installation. The landlord’s\ninstallation of a carbon monoxide alarm shall be in compliance with the Uniform\nStatewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.).\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 680, \u00a7 55-248.18; 1993, c. 634; 1995, c. 601; 1999, c. 65;\n2000, c. 760; 2001, c. 524; 2004, c. 307; 2008, cc. 489, 617; 2009, c. 663;\n2011, c. 766; 2014, c. 632; 2015, c. 596; 2016, c. 744; 2017, c. 730; 2018, cc.\n41, 81; 2019, c. 712; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 409; 2024, c. 46.","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}}