{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1236.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1236.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1236.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1236.html"}],"law_id":68972,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68972,"structure_id":15022,"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","history":"2013, c. 531, \u00a7 55-248.21:2; 2019, c. 712; 2024, c. 302; 2025, c. 593.","full_text":"A\n\nAny tenant who is a victim of (i) family abuse as defined by \u00a7 16.1-228, (ii) sexual abuse as defined by \u00a7 18.2-67.10 or other criminal sexual assault under Article 7 (\u00a7 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, (iii) stalking in violation of \u00a7 18.2-60.3, or (iv) trafficking in violation of Article 3 (\u00a7 18.2-344 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 may terminate such tenant’s obligations under a rental agreement under the following circumstances:1\n\nThe victim has obtained an order of protection pursuant to § 16.1-253.1 or 16.1-279.1 during the term of an active and current rental agreement and has given written notice of termination in accordance with subsection B during the period of the protective order or any extension thereof;2\n\nThe victim has obtained a preliminary protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.9 or a permanent protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.10 during the term of an active and current rental agreement and has given written notice of termination in accordance with subsection B during the period of the protective order or any extension thereof; or3\n\nA court has entered an order convicting a perpetrator of, or a magistrate, law-enforcement agency, grand jury, special grand jury, or court has issued a warrant, summons, information, or indictment charging a person with, any crime of sexual assault under Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, sexual abuse as defined by § 18.2-67.10, family abuse as defined by § 16.1-228, stalking in violation of § 18.2-60.3, or trafficking in violation of Article 3 (§ 18.2-344 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 against the victim during the term of an active and current rental agreement and the victim gives written notice of termination in accordance with subsection B. A victim may exercise a right of termination under this section to terminate a rental agreement in effect when the conviction order is entered and one subsequent rental agreement based upon the same conviction.B\n\nA tenant who qualifies to terminate such tenant’s obligations under a rental agreement pursuant to subsection A shall do so by serving on the landlord a written notice of termination to be effective 28 days after the tenant serves the termination notice on the landlord. The tenant shall also provide the landlord with a copy of (i) the order of protection issued or (ii) the conviction order, warrant, summons, information, or indictment.C\n\nThe rent shall be payable at such time as would otherwise have been required by the terms of the rental agreement through the effective date of the termination as provided in subsection B.D\n\nThe landlord may not charge any liquidated damages.E\n\nThe victim’s obligations as a tenant under § 55.1-1227 shall continue through the effective date of the termination as provided in subsection B. Any co-tenants on the lease with the victim shall remain responsible for the rent for the balance of the term of the rental agreement. If the perpetrator is the remaining sole tenant obligated on the rental agreement, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement and collect actual damages for such termination against the perpetrator pursuant to § 55.1-1251.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":249662,"text":"Any tenant who is a victim of (i) family abuse as defined by \u00a7 16.1-228, (ii) sexual abuse as defined by \u00a7 18.2-67.10 or other criminal sexual assault under Article 7 (\u00a7 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, (iii) stalking in violation of \u00a7 18.2-60.3, or (iv) trafficking in violation of Article 3 (\u00a7 18.2-344 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 may terminate such tenant’s obligations under a rental agreement under the following circumstances:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":249663,"text":"The victim has obtained an order of protection pursuant to § 16.1-253.1 or 16.1-279.1 during the term of an active and current rental agreement and has given written notice of termination in accordance with subsection B during the period of the protective order or any extension thereof;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":249664,"text":"The victim has obtained a preliminary protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.9 or a permanent protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.10 during the term of an active and current rental agreement and has given written notice of termination in accordance with subsection B during the period of the protective order or any extension thereof; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":249665,"text":"A court has entered an order convicting a perpetrator of, or a magistrate, law-enforcement agency, grand jury, special grand jury, or court has issued a warrant, summons, information, or indictment charging a person with, any crime of sexual assault under Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, sexual abuse as defined by § 18.2-67.10, family abuse as defined by § 16.1-228, stalking in violation of § 18.2-60.3, or trafficking in violation of Article 3 (§ 18.2-344 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 against the victim during the term of an active and current rental agreement and the victim gives written notice of termination in accordance with subsection B. A victim may exercise a right of termination under this section to terminate a rental agreement in effect when the conviction order is entered and one subsequent rental agreement based upon the same conviction.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":249666,"text":"A tenant who qualifies to terminate such tenant’s obligations under a rental agreement pursuant to subsection A shall do so by serving on the landlord a written notice of termination to be effective 28 days after the tenant serves the termination notice on the landlord. The tenant shall also provide the landlord with a copy of (i) the order of protection issued or (ii) the conviction order, warrant, summons, information, or indictment.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":249667,"text":"The rent shall be payable at such time as would otherwise have been required by the terms of the rental agreement through the effective date of the termination as provided in subsection B.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":249668,"text":"The landlord may not charge any liquidated damages.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":249669,"text":"The victim’s obligations as a tenant under § 55.1-1227 shall continue through the effective date of the termination as provided in subsection B. Any co-tenants on the lease with the victim shall remain responsible for the rent for the balance of the term of the rental agreement. If the perpetrator is the remaining sole tenant obligated on the rental agreement, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement and collect actual damages for such termination against the perpetrator pursuant to § 55.1-1251.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15022,"edition_id":1,"name":"Tenant Remedies","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:34","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:34","permalink":{"id":246041,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15022,"identifier":"4","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/4\/","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":84339,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1234","catch_line":"Noncompliance by landlord","url":"\/55.1-1234\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1234","metadata":false},{"id":63784,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1234.1","catch_line":"Uninhabitable dwelling unit","url":"\/55.1-1234.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1234.1","metadata":false},{"id":60083,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1235","catch_line":"Early termination of rental agreement by military personnel","url":"\/55.1-1235\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1235","metadata":false},{"id":68972,"structure_id":15022,"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","url":"\/55.1-1236\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1236","metadata":false},{"id":65508,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1237","catch_line":"Notice to tenant in event of foreclosure","url":"\/55.1-1237\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1237","metadata":false},{"id":76367,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1238","catch_line":"Failure to deliver possession","url":"\/55.1-1238\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1238","metadata":false},{"id":63674,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1239","catch_line":"Wrongful failure to supply an essential service","url":"\/55.1-1239\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1239","metadata":false},{"id":69167,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1240","catch_line":"Fire or casualty damage","url":"\/55.1-1240\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1240","metadata":false},{"id":78917,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1241","catch_line":"Landlord's noncompliance as defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent","url":"\/55.1-1241\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1241","metadata":false},{"id":77626,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1242","catch_line":"Rent escrow required for continuance of tenant's case","url":"\/55.1-1242\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1242","metadata":false},{"id":66990,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1243","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/55.1-1243\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1243","metadata":false},{"id":59240,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1243.1","catch_line":"Tenant's remedies for exclusion from dwelling unit, interruption of services, or actions taken to make premises unsafe","url":"\/55.1-1243.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1243.1","metadata":false},{"id":57281,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1243.2","catch_line":"Tenant's remedies for exclusion from dwelling unit due to condemnation","url":"\/55.1-1243.2\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1243.2","metadata":false},{"id":69403,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1244","catch_line":"Tenant's assertion; rent escrow","url":"\/55.1-1244\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1244","metadata":false},{"id":58681,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1244.1","catch_line":"Tenant's remedy by repair","url":"\/55.1-1244.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1244.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60083,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1235","catch_line":"Early termination of rental agreement by military personnel","url":"\/55.1-1235\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1235","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65508,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1237","catch_line":"Notice to tenant in event of foreclosure","url":"\/55.1-1237\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1237","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1236\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2013. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 531<\/a> 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. It has been modified 3 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 2019, chapter 712<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 302<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 593<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":63788,"section_number":"16.1-228","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-228\/"},{"id":61705,"section_number":"16.1-253.1","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders in cases of family abuse; confidentiality","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.1\/"},{"id":62456,"section_number":"16.1-279.1","catch_line":"Protective order in cases of family abuse","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-279.1\/"},{"id":55113,"section_number":"18.2-344","catch_line":"Repealed","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-344\/"},{"id":54485,"section_number":"18.2-60.3","catch_line":"Stalking; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-60.3\/"},{"id":75662,"section_number":"18.2-61","catch_line":"Rape","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-61\/"},{"id":77985,"section_number":"18.2-67.10","catch_line":"General definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.10\/"},{"id":83461,"section_number":"19.2-152.10","catch_line":"Protective order","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.10\/"},{"id":57556,"section_number":"19.2-152.9","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.9\/"},{"id":63220,"section_number":"55.1-1227","catch_line":"Tenant to maintain dwelling unit","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1227\/"},{"id":86328,"section_number":"55.1-1251","catch_line":"Remedy after termination","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1251\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246055,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68972,"identifier":"55.1-1236","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1236","url":"\/55.1-1236\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1236\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1236","dublin_core":{"Title":"Early termination of rental agreements by victims of family abuse, sexual abuse or other criminal sexual assault, or stalking","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1236","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any tenant<\/span> who is a victim of (i) family abuse as defined by \u00a7 16.1-228<\/a>, (ii) sexual abuse as defined by \u00a7 18.2-67.10<\/a> or other criminal sexual assault<\/span> under Article 7 (\u00a7 18.2-61<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, (iii) stalking in violation of \u00a7 18.2-60.3<\/a>, or (iv) trafficking in violation of Article 3 (\u00a7 18.2-344<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 may terminate such tenant<\/span>’s obligations under a rental agreement<\/span> under the following circumstances: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The victim has obtained an order<\/span> of protection pursuant to § 16.1-253.1<\/a> or 16.1-279.1<\/a> during the term of an active and current rental agreement<\/span> and has given written notice<\/span> of termination in accordance with subsection B during the period of the protective order<\/span> or any extension thereof; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The victim has obtained a preliminary protective order<\/span> pursuant to § 19.2-152.9<\/a> or a permanent protective order<\/span> pursuant to § 19.2-152.10<\/a> during the term of an active and current rental agreement<\/span> and has given written notice<\/span> of termination in accordance with subsection B during the period of the protective order<\/span> or any extension thereof; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> A court<\/span> has entered an order<\/span> convicting a perpetrator of, or a magistrate<\/span>, law<\/span>-enforcement agency, grand jury<\/span>, special grand jury<\/span>, or court<\/span> has issued a warrant, summons<\/span>, information, or indictment<\/span> charging a person<\/span> with, any crime<\/span> of sexual assault<\/span> under Article 7 (§ 18.2-61<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, sexual abuse as defined by § 18.2-67.10<\/a>, family abuse as defined by § 16.1-228<\/a>, stalking in violation of § 18.2-60.3<\/a>, or trafficking in violation of Article 3 (§ 18.2-344<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 against the victim during the term of an active and current rental agreement<\/span> and the victim gives<\/span> written notice<\/span> of termination in accordance with subsection B. A victim may exercise a right of termination under this section to terminate a rental agreement<\/span> in effect when the conviction<\/span> order<\/span> is entered and one subsequent rental agreement<\/span> based upon the same conviction<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A tenant<\/span> who qualifies to terminate such tenant<\/span>’s obligations under a rental agreement<\/span> pursuant to subsection A shall do so by serving on the landlord<\/span> a written notice<\/span> of termination to be effective 28 days after the tenant<\/span> serves the termination notice on the landlord<\/span>. The tenant<\/span> shall also provide the landlord<\/span> with a copy of (i) the order<\/span> of protection issued or (ii) the conviction<\/span> order<\/span>, warrant, summons<\/span>, information, or indictment<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The rent<\/span> shall be payable at such time as would otherwise have been required by the terms of the rental agreement<\/span> through the effective date of the termination as provided in subsection B. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The landlord<\/span> may not charge any liquidated damages<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The victim’s obligations as a tenant<\/span> under § 55.1-1227<\/a> shall continue through the effective date of the termination as provided in subsection B. Any co-tenants<\/span> on the lease with the victim shall remain responsible for the rent<\/span> for the balance of the term of the rental agreement<\/span>. If the perpetrator is the remaining sole tenant<\/span> obligated on the rental agreement<\/span>, the landlord<\/span> may terminate the rental agreement<\/span> and collect actual damages<\/span> for such termination against the perpetrator pursuant to § 55.1-1251<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEARLY TERMINATION OF RENTAL AGREEMENTS BY VICTIMS OF FAMILY ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE\nOR OTHER CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING (\u00a7 55.1-1236)\n\nA. Any tenant who is a victim of (i) family abuse as defined by \u00a7 16.1-228,\n(ii) sexual abuse as defined by \u00a7 18.2-67.10 or other criminal sexual assault\nunder Article 7 (\u00a7 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, (iii) stalking\nin violation of \u00a7 18.2-60.3, or (iv) trafficking in violation of Article 3 (\u00a7\n18.2-344 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 may terminate such tenant’s\nobligations under a rental agreement under the following circumstances:\n\n 1. The victim has obtained an order of protection pursuant to §\n 16.1-253.1 or 16.1-279.1 during the term of an active and current rental\n agreement and has given written notice of termination in accordance with\n subsection B during the period of the protective order or any extension\n thereof;\n\n 2. The victim has obtained a preliminary protective order pursuant to §\n 19.2-152.9 or a permanent protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.10\n during the term of an active and current rental agreement and has given\n written notice of termination in accordance with subsection B during the\n period of the protective order or any extension thereof; or\n\n 3. A court has entered an order convicting a perpetrator of, or a magistrate,\n law-enforcement agency, grand jury, special grand jury, or court has issued a\n warrant, summons, information, or indictment charging a person with, any crime\n of sexual assault under Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of\n Title 18.2, sexual abuse as defined by § 18.2-67.10, family abuse as\n defined by § 16.1-228, stalking in violation of § 18.2-60.3, or\n trafficking in violation of Article 3 (§ 18.2-344 et seq.) of Chapter 8\n of Title 18.2 against the victim during the term of an active and current\n rental agreement and the victim gives written notice of termination in\n accordance with subsection B. A victim may exercise a right of termination\n under this section to terminate a rental agreement in effect when the\n conviction order is entered and one subsequent rental agreement based upon the\n same conviction.\n\nB. A tenant who qualifies to terminate such tenant’s obligations under a\nrental agreement pursuant to subsection A shall do so by serving on the landlord\na written notice of termination to be effective 28 days after the tenant serves\nthe termination notice on the landlord. The tenant shall also provide the\nlandlord with a copy of (i) the order of protection issued or (ii) the\nconviction order, warrant, summons, information, or indictment.\n\nC. The rent shall be payable at such time as would otherwise have been required\nby the terms of the rental agreement through the effective date of the\ntermination as provided in subsection B.\n\nD. The landlord may not charge any liquidated damages.\n\nE. The victim’s obligations as a tenant under § 55.1-1227 shall\ncontinue through the effective date of the termination as provided in subsection\nB. Any co-tenants on the lease with the victim shall remain responsible for the\nrent for the balance of the term of the rental agreement. If the perpetrator is\nthe remaining sole tenant obligated on the rental agreement, the landlord may\nterminate the rental agreement and collect actual damages for such termination\nagainst the perpetrator pursuant to § 55.1-1251.\n\nHISTORY: 2013, c. 531, \u00a7 55-248.21:2; 2019, c. 712; 2024, c. 302; 2025, c. 593.","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}}