{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1244.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1244.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1244.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1244.1.html"}],"law_id":58681,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58681,"structure_id":15022,"section_number":"55.1-1244.1","catch_line":"Tenant’s remedy by repair","history":"2020, c. 1020.","full_text":"A\n\nFor purposes of this section, “actual costs” means (i) the amount paid on an invoice to a third-party licensed contractor or a licensed pesticide business by a tenant, local government, or nonprofit entity or (ii) the amount donated by a third-party contractor or pesticide business as reflected on such contractor’s or pesticide business’s invoice.B\n\nIf (i) there exists in the dwelling unit a condition that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with provisions of law or that, if not promptly corrected, will constitute a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of occupants of the premises, including an infestation of rodents or a lack of heat, hot or cold running water, light, electricity, or adequate sewage disposal facilities, and (ii) the tenant has notified the landlord of the condition in writing, the landlord shall take reasonable steps to make the repair or to remedy such condition within 14 days of receiving notice from the tenant.C\n\nIf the landlord does not take reasonable steps to repair or remedy the offending condition within 14 days of receiving a tenant’s notice pursuant to subsection B, the tenant may contract with a third-party contractor licensed by the Board for Contractors or, in the case of a rodent infestation, a pesticide business employing commercial applicators or registered technicians who are licensed, certified, and registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to Chapter 39 (§ 3.2-3900 et seq.) of Title 3.2, to repair or remedy the condition specified in the notice. A tenant who contracts with a third-party licensed contractor or pesticide business is entitled to recover the actual costs incurred for the work performed, not exceeding the greater of one month’s rent or $1,500. Unless the tenant has been reimbursed by the landlord, the tenant may deduct the actual costs incurred for the work performed pursuant to the contract with the third-party contractor or pesticide business after submitting to the landlord an itemized statement accompanied by receipts for purchased items and third-party contractor or pest control services.D\n\nA local government or nonprofit entity may procure the services of a third-party licensed contractor or pesticide business on behalf of the tenant pursuant to subsection B. Such assistance shall have no effect on the tenant’s entitlement under this section to be reimbursed by the landlord or to make a deduction from the periodic rent.E\n\nA tenant may not repair a property condition at the landlord’s expense under this section to the extent that (i) the property condition was caused by an act or omission of the tenant, an authorized occupant, or a guest or invitee; (ii) the landlord was unable to remedy the property condition because the landlord was denied access to the dwelling unit; or (iii) the landlord had already remedied the property condition prior to the tenant’s contracting with a licensed third-party contractor or pesticide business pursuant to subsection C.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":215059,"text":"For purposes of this section, “actual costs” means (i) the amount paid on an invoice to a third-party licensed contractor or a licensed pesticide business by a tenant, local government, or nonprofit entity or (ii) the amount donated by a third-party contractor or pesticide business as reflected on such contractor’s or pesticide business’s invoice.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":215060,"text":"If (i) there exists in the dwelling unit a condition that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with provisions of law or that, if not promptly corrected, will constitute a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of occupants of the premises, including an infestation of rodents or a lack of heat, hot or cold running water, light, electricity, or adequate sewage disposal facilities, and (ii) the tenant has notified the landlord of the condition in writing, the landlord shall take reasonable steps to make the repair or to remedy such condition within 14 days of receiving notice from the tenant.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":215061,"text":"If the landlord does not take reasonable steps to repair or remedy the offending condition within 14 days of receiving a tenant’s notice pursuant to subsection B, the tenant may contract with a third-party contractor licensed by the Board for Contractors or, in the case of a rodent infestation, a pesticide business employing commercial applicators or registered technicians who are licensed, certified, and registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to Chapter 39 (§ 3.2-3900 et seq.) of Title 3.2, to repair or remedy the condition specified in the notice. A tenant who contracts with a third-party licensed contractor or pesticide business is entitled to recover the actual costs incurred for the work performed, not exceeding the greater of one month’s rent or $1,500. Unless the tenant has been reimbursed by the landlord, the tenant may deduct the actual costs incurred for the work performed pursuant to the contract with the third-party contractor or pesticide business after submitting to the landlord an itemized statement accompanied by receipts for purchased items and third-party contractor or pest control services.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":215062,"text":"A local government or nonprofit entity may procure the services of a third-party licensed contractor or pesticide business on behalf of the tenant pursuant to subsection B. Such assistance shall have no effect on the tenant’s entitlement under this section to be reimbursed by the landlord or to make a deduction from the periodic rent.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":215063,"text":"A tenant may not repair a property condition at the landlord’s expense under this section to the extent that (i) the property condition was caused by an act or omission of the tenant, an authorized occupant, or a guest or invitee; (ii) the landlord was unable to remedy the property condition because the landlord was denied access to the dwelling unit; or (iii) the landlord had already remedied the property condition prior to the tenant’s contracting with a licensed third-party contractor or pesticide business pursuant to subsection C.","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":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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1244.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 1020<\/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.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":63769,"section_number":"3.2-3900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-3900\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246099,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58681,"identifier":"55.1-1244.1","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1244.1","url":"\/55.1-1244.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1244.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/4\/55.1-1244.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Tenant’s remedy by repair","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1244.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> For purposes of this section, “actual costs<\/span>” means (i) the amount paid on an invoice to a third-party<\/span> licensed contractor or a licensed pesticide business by a tenant<\/span>, local government, or nonprofit entity or (ii) the amount donated by a third-party<\/span> contractor or pesticide business as reflected on such contractor’s or pesticide business’s invoice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If (i) there exists in the dwelling unit<\/span> a condition that constitutes a material<\/span> noncompliance by the landlord<\/span> with the rental agreement<\/span> or with provisions of law<\/span> or that, if not promptly corrected, will constitute a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of occupants of the premises<\/span>, including an infestation of rodents or a lack of heat, hot or cold running water, light, electricity, or adequate sewage disposal facilities, and (ii) the tenant<\/span> has notified the landlord<\/span> of the condition in writing, the landlord<\/span> shall take reasonable steps to make the repair or to remedy such condition within 14 days of receiving notice<\/span> from the tenant<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the landlord<\/span> does not take reasonable steps to repair or remedy the offending condition within 14 days of receiving a tenant<\/span>’s notice<\/span> pursuant to subsection B, the tenant<\/span> may contract<\/span> with a third-party<\/span> contractor licensed by the Board for Contractors or, in the case of a rodent infestation, a pesticide business employing commercial applicators or registered technicians who are licensed, certified, and registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to Chapter 39 (§ 3.2-3900<\/a> et seq.) of Title 3.2, to repair or remedy the condition specified in the notice<\/span>. A tenant<\/span> who contracts<\/span> with a third-party<\/span> licensed contractor or pesticide business is entitled to recover the actual costs<\/span> incurred for the work performed, not exceeding the greater of one month’s rent<\/span> or $1,500. Unless the tenant<\/span> has been reimbursed by the landlord<\/span>, the tenant<\/span> may deduct the actual costs<\/span> incurred for the work performed pursuant to the contract<\/span> with the third-party<\/span> contractor or pesticide business after submitting to the landlord<\/span> an itemized statement accompanied by receipts for purchased items and third-party<\/span> contractor or pest control services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A local government or nonprofit entity may procure the services of a third-party<\/span> licensed contractor or pesticide business on behalf of the tenant<\/span> pursuant to subsection B. Such assistance shall have no effect on the tenant<\/span>’s entitlement under this section to be reimbursed by the landlord<\/span> or to make a deduction from the periodic rent<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A tenant<\/span> may not repair a property condition at the landlord<\/span>’s expense under this section to the extent that (i) the property condition was caused by an act or omission of the tenant<\/span>, an authorized occupant<\/span>, or a guest or invitee<\/span>; (ii) the landlord<\/span> was unable to remedy the property condition because the landlord<\/span> was denied access to the dwelling unit<\/span>; or (iii) the landlord<\/span> had already remedied the property condition prior to the tenant<\/span>’s contracting with a licensed third-party<\/span> contractor or pesticide business pursuant to subsection C. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTENANT’S REMEDY BY REPAIR (\u00a7 55.1-1244.1)\n\nA. For purposes of this section, “actual costs” means (i) the amount\npaid on an invoice to a third-party licensed contractor or a licensed pesticide\nbusiness by a tenant, local government, or nonprofit entity or (ii) the amount\ndonated by a third-party contractor or pesticide business as reflected on such\ncontractor’s or pesticide business’s invoice.\n\nB. If (i) there exists in the dwelling unit a condition that constitutes a\nmaterial noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with\nprovisions of law or that, if not promptly corrected, will constitute a fire\nhazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of occupants of the\npremises, including an infestation of rodents or a lack of heat, hot or cold\nrunning water, light, electricity, or adequate sewage disposal facilities, and\n(ii) the tenant has notified the landlord of the condition in writing, the\nlandlord shall take reasonable steps to make the repair or to remedy such\ncondition within 14 days of receiving notice from the tenant.\n\nC. If the landlord does not take reasonable steps to repair or remedy the\noffending condition within 14 days of receiving a tenant’s notice pursuant\nto subsection B, the tenant may contract with a third-party contractor licensed\nby the Board for Contractors or, in the case of a rodent infestation, a\npesticide business employing commercial applicators or registered technicians\nwho are licensed, certified, and registered with the Department of Agriculture\nand Consumer Services pursuant to Chapter 39 (§ 3.2-3900 et seq.) of Title\n3.2, to repair or remedy the condition specified in the notice. A tenant who\ncontracts with a third-party licensed contractor or pesticide business is\nentitled to recover the actual costs incurred for the work performed, not\nexceeding the greater of one month’s rent or $1,500. Unless the tenant has\nbeen reimbursed by the landlord, the tenant may deduct the actual costs incurred\nfor the work performed pursuant to the contract with the third-party contractor\nor pesticide business after submitting to the landlord an itemized statement\naccompanied by receipts for purchased items and third-party contractor or pest\ncontrol services.\n\nD. A local government or nonprofit entity may procure the services of a\nthird-party licensed contractor or pesticide business on behalf of the tenant\npursuant to subsection B. Such assistance shall have no effect on the\ntenant’s entitlement under this section to be reimbursed by the landlord\nor to make a deduction from the periodic rent.\n\nE. A tenant may not repair a property condition at the landlord’s expense\nunder this section to the extent that (i) the property condition was caused by\nan act or omission of the tenant, an authorized occupant, or a guest or invitee;\n(ii) the landlord was unable to remedy the property condition because the\nlandlord was denied access to the dwelling unit; or (iii) the landlord had\nalready remedied the property condition prior to the tenant’s contracting\nwith a licensed third-party contractor or pesticide business pursuant to\nsubsection C.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 1020.","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}}