{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1240.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1240.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1240.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1240.html"}],"law_id":69167,"edition_id":1,"section_id":69167,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1240","catch_line":"Fire or casualty damage","history":"1974, c. 680, \u00a7 55-248.24; 1982, c. 260; 2000, c. 760; 2005, c. 807; 2011, c. 766; 2015, c. 596; 2016, c. 744; 2017, c. 730; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"If the dwelling unit or premises is damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that the tenant’s enjoyment of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired or required repairs can only be accomplished if the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, either the tenant or the landlord may terminate the rental agreement. The tenant may terminate the rental agreement by vacating the premises and within 14 days thereafter, serving on the landlord a written notice of his intention to terminate the rental agreement, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the date of vacating. If continued occupancy is lawful, \u00a7 55.1-1411 shall apply.\n\t\tThe landlord may terminate the rental agreement by giving the tenant 14 days’ notice of his intention to terminate the rental agreement on the basis of the landlord’s determination that such damage requires the removal of the tenant and that the use of the premises is substantially impaired, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the expiration of the notice period.\n\t\tIf the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security deposits in accordance with \u00a7 55.1-1226 and prepaid rent, plus accrued interest, recoverable by law unless the landlord reasonably believes that the tenant, an authorized occupant, or a guest or invitee of the tenant was the cause of the damage or casualty, in which case the landlord shall provide a written statement to the tenant for the security and prepaid rent, plus accrued interest based upon the damage or casualty, and may recover actual damages sustained pursuant to \u00a7 55.1-1251. Proration for rent in the event of termination or apportionment shall be made as of the date of the casualty.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":250288,"text":"If the dwelling unit or premises is damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that the tenant’s enjoyment of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired or required repairs can only be accomplished if the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, either the tenant or the landlord may terminate the rental agreement. The tenant may terminate the rental agreement by vacating the premises and within 14 days thereafter, serving on the landlord a written notice of his intention to terminate the rental agreement, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the date of vacating. If continued occupancy is lawful, \u00a7 55.1-1411 shall apply.\n\t\tThe landlord may terminate the rental agreement by giving the tenant 14 days’ notice of his intention to terminate the rental agreement on the basis of the landlord’s determination that such damage requires the removal of the tenant and that the use of the premises is substantially impaired, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the expiration of the notice period.\n\t\tIf the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security deposits in accordance with \u00a7 55.1-1226 and prepaid rent, plus accrued interest, recoverable by law unless the landlord reasonably believes that the tenant, an authorized occupant, or a guest or invitee of the tenant was the cause of the damage or casualty, in which case the landlord shall provide a written statement to the tenant for the security and prepaid rent, plus accrued interest based upon the damage or casualty, and may recover actual damages sustained pursuant to \u00a7 55.1-1251. Proration for rent in the event of termination or apportionment shall be made as of the date of the casualty.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1240\/","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 8 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 1982, chapter 260; in 2000, chapter 760<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 807<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 766<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 596<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 744<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 730<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57281,"section_number":"55.1-1243.2","catch_line":"Tenant's remedies for exclusion from dwelling unit due to condemnation","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1243.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55889,"section_number":"55.1-1226","catch_line":"Security deposits","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1226\/"},{"id":86328,"section_number":"55.1-1251","catch_line":"Remedy after termination","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1251\/"},{"id":63037,"section_number":"55.1-1411","catch_line":"Nonresidential buildings destroyed or lessee deprived of possession; covenant to pay rent or repair; reduction of rent","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1411\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246071,"object_type":"law","relational_id":69167,"identifier":"55.1-1240","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1240","url":"\/55.1-1240\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1240\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1240","dublin_core":{"Title":"Fire or casualty damage","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1240","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

If the dwelling unit<\/span> or premises<\/span> is damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that the tenant<\/span>’s enjoyment of the dwelling unit<\/span> is substantially impaired or required repairs can only be accomplished if the tenant<\/span> vacates the dwelling unit<\/span>, either the tenant<\/span> or the landlord<\/span> may terminate the rental agreement<\/span>. The tenant<\/span> may terminate the rental agreement<\/span> by vacating the premises<\/span> and within 14 days thereafter, serving on the landlord<\/span> a written notice<\/span> of his intention to terminate the rental agreement<\/span>, in which case the rental agreement<\/span> terminates as of the date of vacating. If continued occupancy is lawful, \u00a7 55.1-1411<\/a> shall apply.\n\t\tThe landlord<\/span> may terminate the rental agreement<\/span> by giving the tenant<\/span> 14 days’ notice of his intention to terminate the rental agreement<\/span> on the basis of the landlord<\/span>’s determination that such damage requires the removal of the tenant<\/span> and that the use of the premises<\/span> is substantially impaired, in which case the rental agreement<\/span> terminates as of the expiration of the notice period.\n\t\tIf the rental agreement<\/span> is terminated, the landlord<\/span> shall return all security deposits<\/span> in accordance with \u00a7 55.1-1226<\/a> and prepaid rent<\/span>, plus accrued interest, recoverable by law<\/span> unless the landlord<\/span> reasonably believes that the tenant<\/span>, an authorized occupant<\/span>, or a guest or invitee<\/span> of the tenant<\/span> was the cause of the damage or casualty, in which case the landlord<\/span> shall provide a written statement to the tenant<\/span> for the security and prepaid rent<\/span>, plus accrued interest based upon the damage or casualty, and may recover actual damages<\/span> sustained pursuant to \u00a7 55.1-1251<\/a>. Proration for rent<\/span> in the event of termination or apportionment shall be made as of the date of the casualty.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFIRE OR CASUALTY DAMAGE (\u00a7 55.1-1240)\n\nIf the dwelling unit or premises is damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to\nan extent that the tenant’s enjoyment of the dwelling unit is\nsubstantially impaired or required repairs can only be accomplished if the\ntenant vacates the dwelling unit, either the tenant or the landlord may\nterminate the rental agreement. The tenant may terminate the rental agreement by\nvacating the premises and within 14 days thereafter, serving on the landlord a\nwritten notice of his intention to terminate the rental agreement, in which case\nthe rental agreement terminates as of the date of vacating. If continued\noccupancy is lawful, \u00a7 55.1-1411 shall apply.\n\t\tThe landlord may terminate the rental agreement by giving the tenant 14\ndays’ notice of his intention to terminate the rental agreement on the\nbasis of the landlord’s determination that such damage requires the\nremoval of the tenant and that the use of the premises is substantially\nimpaired, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the expiration of\nthe notice period.\n\t\tIf the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security\ndeposits in accordance with \u00a7 55.1-1226 and prepaid rent, plus accrued\ninterest, recoverable by law unless the landlord reasonably believes that the\ntenant, an authorized occupant, or a guest or invitee of the tenant was the\ncause of the damage or casualty, in which case the landlord shall provide a\nwritten statement to the tenant for the security and prepaid rent, plus accrued\ninterest based upon the damage or casualty, and may recover actual damages\nsustained pursuant to \u00a7 55.1-1251. Proration for rent in the event of\ntermination or apportionment shall be made as of the date of the casualty.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 680, \u00a7 55-248.24; 1982, c. 260; 2000, c. 760; 2005, c. 807;\n2011, c. 766; 2015, c. 596; 2016, c. 744; 2017, c. 730; 2019, c. 712.","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}}