{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1314.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1314.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1314.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1314.html"}],"law_id":78082,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78082,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1314","catch_line":"Retaliatory conduct prohibited","history":"1986, c. 586, \u00a7 55-248.50; 1991, c. 185; 1992, c. 709; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as provided in this section, or as otherwise provided by law, a landlord shall not retaliate by selectively increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after the landlord has knowledge that (i) the tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health or safety, (ii) the tenant has made a complaint to or filed an action against the landlord for a violation of any provision of this chapter, (iii) the tenant has organized or become a member of a tenant’s organization, or (iv) the tenant has testified in a court proceeding against the landlord.B\n\nThe landlord shall be deemed to have knowledge of a fact if he has actual knowledge of it, he has received a notice or notification of it, or, from all the facts and circumstances known to him at the time in question, he has reason to know that it exists.C\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a landlord may terminate the rental agreement pursuant to subsection A of \u00a7 55.1-1308 and bring an action for possession if:1\n\nViolation of the applicable building and housing code was caused by lack of reasonable care by the tenant, a member of the tenant’s household, or a guest or invitee of the tenant;2\n\nThe tenant is in default in rent; or3\n\nThe tenant is in default of a provision of the rental agreement materially affecting the health and safety of the tenant or others.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":279951,"text":"Except as provided in this section, or as otherwise provided by law, a landlord shall not retaliate by selectively increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after the landlord has knowledge that (i) the tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health or safety, (ii) the tenant has made a complaint to or filed an action against the landlord for a violation of any provision of this chapter, (iii) the tenant has organized or become a member of a tenant’s organization, or (iv) the tenant has testified in a court proceeding against the landlord.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":279952,"text":"The landlord shall be deemed to have knowledge of a fact if he has actual knowledge of it, he has received a notice or notification of it, or, from all the facts and circumstances known to him at the time in question, he has reason to know that it exists.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":279953,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a landlord may terminate the rental agreement pursuant to subsection A of \u00a7 55.1-1308 and bring an action for possession if:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":279954,"text":"Violation of the applicable building and housing code was caused by lack of reasonable care by the tenant, a member of the tenant’s household, or a guest or invitee of the tenant;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":279955,"text":"The tenant is in default in rent; or","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":279956,"text":"The tenant is in default of a provision of the rental agreement materially affecting the health and safety of the tenant or others.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15804,"edition_id":1,"name":"Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act","identifier":"13","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13073,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:59:48","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:59:48","permalink":{"id":246181,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15804,"identifier":"13","token":"55.1\/III\/13","url":"\/55.1\/III\/13\/","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":74299,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/55.1-1300\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1300","metadata":false},{"id":72603,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1301","catch_line":"Written rental agreement required","url":"\/55.1-1301\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1301","metadata":false},{"id":77211,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1302","catch_line":"Term of rental agreement; renewal; security deposits","url":"\/55.1-1302\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1302","metadata":false},{"id":62407,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1303","catch_line":"Landlord's obligations","url":"\/55.1-1303\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1303","metadata":false},{"id":76627,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1304","catch_line":"Tenant's obligations","url":"\/55.1-1304\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1304","metadata":false},{"id":62108,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1305","catch_line":"Rent; liability of secured party taking possession of an abandoned manufactured home","url":"\/55.1-1305\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1305","metadata":false},{"id":69600,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1306","catch_line":"Demands and charges prohibited; access by tenant's guest or invitee; purchases by manufactured home owner not restricted; exception; conditions of occupancy","url":"\/55.1-1306\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1306","metadata":false},{"id":71023,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1307","catch_line":"Charge for utility service","url":"\/55.1-1307\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1307","metadata":false},{"id":67306,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1308","catch_line":"Termination of tenancy","url":"\/55.1-1308\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1308","metadata":false},{"id":65121,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1308.1","catch_line":"Sale of manufactured home park to developer; relocation expenses","url":"\/55.1-1308.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1308.1","metadata":false},{"id":66238,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1308.2","catch_line":"Notice of intent to sell","url":"\/55.1-1308.2\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1308.2","metadata":false},{"id":64738,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1309","catch_line":"Waiver of landlord's right to terminate","url":"\/55.1-1309\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1309","metadata":false},{"id":71140,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1310","catch_line":"Sale or lease of manufactured home by manufactured home owner","url":"\/55.1-1310\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1310","metadata":false},{"id":85946,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1311","catch_line":"Other provisions of law applicable","url":"\/55.1-1311\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1311","metadata":false},{"id":62367,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1312","catch_line":"Authority of local governments over manufactured home parks","url":"\/55.1-1312\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1312","metadata":false},{"id":75682,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1313","catch_line":"Notice of uncorrected violations","url":"\/55.1-1313\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1313","metadata":false},{"id":78082,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1314","catch_line":"Retaliatory conduct prohibited","url":"\/55.1-1314\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1314","metadata":false},{"id":60935,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1315","catch_line":"Eviction of tenant","url":"\/55.1-1315\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1315","metadata":false},{"id":81509,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1316","catch_line":"Right to sell or rent manufactured home upon eviction","url":"\/55.1-1316\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1316","metadata":false},{"id":65155,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1317","catch_line":"Transfer of deposits upon purchase","url":"\/55.1-1317\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1317","metadata":false},{"id":64757,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1318","catch_line":"Penalties for violation of chapter","url":"\/55.1-1318\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1318","metadata":false},{"id":66946,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1319","catch_line":"Injunctive relief","url":"\/55.1-1319\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1319","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75682,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1313","catch_line":"Notice of uncorrected violations","url":"\/55.1-1313\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1313","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60935,"structure_id":15804,"section_number":"55.1-1315","catch_line":"Eviction of tenant","url":"\/55.1-1315\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1315","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1314\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1986. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 586 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 1986 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. 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 1991, chapter 185; in 1992, chapter 709; in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64757,"section_number":"55.1-1318","catch_line":"Penalties for violation of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1318\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":67306,"section_number":"55.1-1308","catch_line":"Termination of tenancy","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1308\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246247,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78082,"identifier":"55.1-1314","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1314","url":"\/55.1-1314\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1314\/","token":"55.1\/III\/13\/55.1-1314","dublin_core":{"Title":"Retaliatory conduct prohibited","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1314","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as provided in this section, or as otherwise provided by law<\/span>, a landlord<\/span> shall not retaliate by selectively increasing rent<\/span> or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession<\/span> after the landlord<\/span> has knowledge that (i) the tenant<\/span> has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health or safety, (ii) the tenant<\/span> has made a complaint to or filed an action against the landlord<\/span> for a violation of any provision of this chapter, (iii) the tenant<\/span> has organized or become a member of a tenant<\/span>’s organization, or (iv) the tenant<\/span> has testified in a court<\/span> proceeding against the landlord<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The landlord<\/span> shall be deemed to have knowledge of a fact<\/span> if he has actual knowledge of it, he has received a notice or notification of it, or, from all the facts<\/span> and circumstances known to him at the time in question, he has reason to know that it exists. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a landlord<\/span> may terminate the rental agreement<\/span> pursuant to subsection A of \u00a7 55.1-1308<\/a> and bring an action for possession<\/span> if: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Violation of the applicable building and housing code was caused by lack of reasonable care by the tenant<\/span>, a member of the tenant<\/span>’s household, or a guest or invitee<\/span> of the tenant<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The tenant<\/span> is in default<\/span> in rent<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The tenant<\/span> is in default<\/span> of a provision of the rental agreement<\/span> materially affecting the health and safety of the tenant<\/span> or others. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRETALIATORY CONDUCT PROHIBITED (\u00a7 55.1-1314)\n\nA. Except as provided in this section, or as otherwise provided by law, a\nlandlord shall not retaliate by selectively increasing rent or decreasing\nservices or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after\nthe landlord has knowledge that (i) the tenant has complained to a governmental\nagency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code\nof a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health or safety,\n(ii) the tenant has made a complaint to or filed an action against the landlord\nfor a violation of any provision of this chapter, (iii) the tenant has organized\nor become a member of a tenant’s organization, or (iv) the tenant has\ntestified in a court proceeding against the landlord.\n\nB. The landlord shall be deemed to have knowledge of a fact if he has actual\nknowledge of it, he has received a notice or notification of it, or, from all\nthe facts and circumstances known to him at the time in question, he has reason\nto know that it exists.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, a landlord may\nterminate the rental agreement pursuant to subsection A of \u00a7 55.1-1308 and\nbring an action for possession if:\n\n 1. Violation of the applicable building and housing code was caused by lack of\n reasonable care by the tenant, a member of the tenant’s household, or a\n guest or invitee of the tenant;\n\n 2. The tenant is in default in rent; or\n\n 3. The tenant is in default of a provision of the rental agreement materially\n affecting the health and safety of the tenant or others.\n\nHISTORY: 1986, c. 586, \u00a7 55-248.50; 1991, c. 185; 1992, c. 709; 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}}