{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1257.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1257.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1257.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1257.html"}],"law_id":57532,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57532,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1257","catch_line":"Who may recover rent or possession","history":"1983, c. 8, \u00a7 55-246.1; 1989, c. 612; 1998, c. 452; 2003, cc. 665, 667; 2004, cc. 338, 365; 2010, c. 550; 2013, c. 563; 2015, c. 190; 2018, c. 221; 2019, cc. 180, 477, 700, 712.","full_text":"Notwithstanding any rule of court to the contrary, (i) any person licensed under the provisions of \u00a7 54.1-2106.1, (ii) any property manager or the managing agent of a landlord as defined in \u00a7 55.1-1200 pursuant to the written property management agreement, or (iii) any employee, who is authorized in writing by a corporate officer with the approval of the board of directors, or by a manager, a general partner, or a trustee, of a partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation, professional limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, registered limited liability limited partnership, business trust, or family trust to sign pleadings as the agent of the business entity may obtain a judgment (a) for possession in the general district court for the county or city in which the premises, or part thereof, is situated or (b) for rent or damages, including actual damages for breach of the rental agreement, or for final rent and damages under \u00a7 8.01-128, in any general district court where venue is proper under Chapter 5 (\u00a7 8.01-257 et seq.) of Title 8.01, against any defendant if the person seeking such judgment had a contractual agreement with the landlord to manage the premises for which rent or possession is due and may prepare, execute, file, and have served on other parties in any general district court a warrant in debt, suggestion for summons in garnishment, garnishment summons, order of possession, writ of eviction, or writ of fieri facias arising out of a landlord-tenant relationship. However, the activities of any such person in court shall be limited by the provisions of \u00a7 16.1-88.03. However, nothing shall be construed as preventing a nonlawyer from requesting relief from the court as provided by law or statute when such nonlawyer is before the court on one of the actions specified herein.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":210785,"text":"Notwithstanding any rule of court to the contrary, (i) any person licensed under the provisions of \u00a7 54.1-2106.1, (ii) any property manager or the managing agent of a landlord as defined in \u00a7 55.1-1200 pursuant to the written property management agreement, or (iii) any employee, who is authorized in writing by a corporate officer with the approval of the board of directors, or by a manager, a general partner, or a trustee, of a partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation, professional limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, registered limited liability limited partnership, business trust, or family trust to sign pleadings as the agent of the business entity may obtain a judgment (a) for possession in the general district court for the county or city in which the premises, or part thereof, is situated or (b) for rent or damages, including actual damages for breach of the rental agreement, or for final rent and damages under \u00a7 8.01-128, in any general district court where venue is proper under Chapter 5 (\u00a7 8.01-257 et seq.) of Title 8.01, against any defendant if the person seeking such judgment had a contractual agreement with the landlord to manage the premises for which rent or possession is due and may prepare, execute, file, and have served on other parties in any general district court a warrant in debt, suggestion for summons in garnishment, garnishment summons, order of possession, writ of eviction, or writ of fieri facias arising out of a landlord-tenant relationship. However, the activities of any such person in court shall be limited by the provisions of \u00a7 16.1-88.03. However, nothing shall be construed as preventing a nonlawyer from requesting relief from the court as provided by law or statute when such nonlawyer is before the court on one of the actions specified herein.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14101,"edition_id":1,"name":"Landlord Remedies","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","permalink":{"id":246103,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14101,"identifier":"5","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/5\/","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":60662,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1245","catch_line":"(Effective the later of July 1, 2028, or 7 years after the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency expires) Noncompliance with rental agreement; monetary penalty","url":"\/55.1-1245\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1245","metadata":false},{"id":55231,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1246","catch_line":"Barring guest or invitee of a tenant","url":"\/55.1-1246\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1246","metadata":false},{"id":58862,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1247","catch_line":"Sheriffs authorized to serve certain notices; fee for service","url":"\/55.1-1247\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1247","metadata":false},{"id":77115,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1248","catch_line":"Remedy by repair, etc.; emergencies","url":"\/55.1-1248\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1248","metadata":false},{"id":80239,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1249","catch_line":"Remedies for absence, nonuse, and abandonment","url":"\/55.1-1249\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1249","metadata":false},{"id":85575,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1250","catch_line":"Landlord's acceptance of rent with reservation; tenant's right of redemption","url":"\/55.1-1250\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1250","metadata":false},{"id":86328,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1251","catch_line":"Remedy after termination","url":"\/55.1-1251\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1251","metadata":false},{"id":85283,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1252","catch_line":"Recovery of possession limited","url":"\/55.1-1252\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1252","metadata":false},{"id":61089,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1253","catch_line":"Periodic tenancy; holdover remedies","url":"\/55.1-1253\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1253","metadata":false},{"id":69130,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1254","catch_line":"Disposal of property abandoned by tenants","url":"\/55.1-1254\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1254","metadata":false},{"id":80063,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1255","catch_line":"Authority of sheriffs to store and sell personal property removed from residential premises; recovery of possession by owner; disposition or sale","url":"\/55.1-1255\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1255","metadata":false},{"id":57030,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1256","catch_line":"Disposal of property of deceased tenants","url":"\/55.1-1256\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1256","metadata":false},{"id":57532,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1257","catch_line":"Who may recover rent or possession","url":"\/55.1-1257\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1257","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":57030,"structure_id":14101,"section_number":"55.1-1256","catch_line":"Disposal of property of deceased tenants","url":"\/55.1-1256\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1256","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1257\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1983. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 8 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 1983 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1989, chapter 612; in 1998, chapter 452<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 665<\/a> and 667<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 338<\/a> and 365<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 550<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 563<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 190<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 221<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 180<\/a>, 477<\/a>, 700<\/a>, and 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":81566,"section_number":"16.1-88.03","catch_line":"Pleadings and other papers by certain parties not represented by attorneys","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-88.03\/"},{"id":65670,"section_number":"54.1-2106.1","catch_line":"Licenses required","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2106.1\/"},{"id":61413,"section_number":"55.1-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1200\/"},{"id":75626,"section_number":"8.01-128","catch_line":"Verdict and judgment; damages","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-128\/"},{"id":77027,"section_number":"8.01-257","catch_line":"Venue generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-257\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246153,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57532,"identifier":"55.1-1257","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1257","url":"\/55.1-1257\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1257\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/5\/55.1-1257","dublin_core":{"Title":"Who may recover rent or possession","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1257","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Notwithstanding any rule of court<\/span> to the contrary, (i) any person<\/span> licensed under the provisions of \u00a7 54.1-2106.1<\/a>, (ii) any property manager or the managing agent<\/span> of a landlord<\/span> as defined in \u00a7 55.1-1200<\/a> pursuant to the written property management agreement, or (iii) any employee, who is authorized in writing by a corporate officer with the approval of the board of directors, or by a manager, a general partner, or a trustee, of a partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation, professional limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, registered limited liability limited partnership, business trust, or family trust to sign pleadings<\/span> as the agent of the business entity may obtain a judgment<\/span> (a) for possession<\/span> in the general district court<\/span> for the county or city in which the premises<\/span>, or part thereof, is situated or (b) for rent<\/span> or damages<\/span>, including actual damages<\/span> for breach of the rental agreement<\/span>, or for final rent<\/span> and damages<\/span> under \u00a7 8.01-128<\/a>, in any general district court<\/span> where venue<\/span> is proper under Chapter 5 (\u00a7 8.01-257<\/a> et seq.) of Title 8.01, against any defendant<\/span> if the person<\/span> seeking such judgment<\/span> had a contractual agreement with the landlord<\/span> to manage the premises<\/span> for which rent<\/span> or possession<\/span> is due and may prepare, execute, file, and have served on other parties in any general district court<\/span> a warrant in debt, suggestion for summons<\/span> in garnishment<\/span>, garnishment<\/span> summons<\/span>, order<\/span> of possession<\/span>, writ of eviction, or writ of fieri facias<\/span> arising out of a landlord<\/span>-tenant<\/span> relationship. However, the activities of any such person<\/span> in court<\/span> shall be limited by the provisions of \u00a7 16.1-88.03<\/a>. However, nothing shall be construed as preventing a nonlawyer from requesting relief from the court<\/span> as provided by law<\/span> or statute<\/span> when such nonlawyer is before the court<\/span> on one of the actions<\/span> specified herein.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHO MAY RECOVER RENT OR POSSESSION (\u00a7 55.1-1257)\n\nNotwithstanding any rule of court to the contrary, (i) any person licensed under\nthe provisions of \u00a7 54.1-2106.1, (ii) any property manager or the managing\nagent of a landlord as defined in \u00a7 55.1-1200 pursuant to the written property\nmanagement agreement, or (iii) any employee, who is authorized in writing by a\ncorporate officer with the approval of the board of directors, or by a manager,\na general partner, or a trustee, of a partnership, association, corporation,\nlimited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation,\nprofessional limited liability company, registered limited liability\npartnership, registered limited liability limited partnership, business trust,\nor family trust to sign pleadings as the agent of the business entity may obtain\na judgment (a) for possession in the general district court for the county or\ncity in which the premises, or part thereof, is situated or (b) for rent or\ndamages, including actual damages for breach of the rental agreement, or for\nfinal rent and damages under \u00a7 8.01-128, in any general district court where\nvenue is proper under Chapter 5 (\u00a7 8.01-257 et seq.) of Title 8.01, against any\ndefendant if the person seeking such judgment had a contractual agreement with\nthe landlord to manage the premises for which rent or possession is due and may\nprepare, execute, file, and have served on other parties in any general district\ncourt a warrant in debt, suggestion for summons in garnishment, garnishment\nsummons, order of possession, writ of eviction, or writ of fieri facias arising\nout of a landlord-tenant relationship. However, the activities of any such\nperson in court shall be limited by the provisions of \u00a7 16.1-88.03. However,\nnothing shall be construed as preventing a nonlawyer from requesting relief from\nthe court as provided by law or statute when such nonlawyer is before the court\non one of the actions specified herein.\n\nHISTORY: 1983, c. 8, \u00a7 55-246.1; 1989, c. 612; 1998, c. 452; 2003, cc. 665,\n667; 2004, cc. 338, 365; 2010, c. 550; 2013, c. 563; 2015, c. 190; 2018, c. 221;\n2019, cc. 180, 477, 700, 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}}