{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-470.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-470.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-470.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-470.html"}],"law_id":67287,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67287,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-470","catch_line":"Writs on judgments for specific property","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 8-402; 1977, c. 617; 1991, c. 503; 2000, c. 640; 2001, c. 222; 2003, c. 259; 2007, c. 128; 2019, cc. 180, 700.","full_text":"On a judgment for the recovery of specific property, a writ of possession for personal property or a writ of eviction for real property may issue for the specific property pursuant to an order of possession entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, which shall conform to the judgment as to the description of the property and the estate, title, and interest recovered, and there may also be issued a writ of fieri facias for the damages or profits and costs. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, the officer to whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed shall, at least 72 hours before execution, serve notice of intent to execute, including the date and time of execution, as well as the rights afforded to tenants in \u00a7\u00a7 55.1-1255 and 55.1-1416, together with a copy of the writ attached, on the defendant in person or, if the party to be served is not found at the specific property for which a writ of eviction has been issued, then service shall be effected by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other door as appears to be the main entrance of such property. The execution of the writ of eviction by the sheriff should occur within 15 calendar days from the date the writ of eviction is received by the sheriff, or as soon as practicable thereafter, but in no event later than 30 days from the date the writ of eviction is issued. An order of possession shall remain valid for 180 days from the date granted by the court. If a plaintiff cancels a writ of eviction, such plaintiff may request other writs of eviction during such 180-day period. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, whenever the officer to whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed finds the premises locked, he may, after declaring at the door the cause of his coming and demanding to have the door opened, employ reasonable and necessary force to break and enter the door and put the plaintiff in possession. The execution of the writ of eviction shall be effective against the tenants named in the writ of eviction and their authorized occupants, guests or invitees, and any trespassers in the premises. And an officer having a writ of possession for specific personal property, if he finds locked or fastened the building or place wherein he has reasonable cause to believe the property specified in the writ is located, may in the daytime, after notice to the defendant, his agent or bailee, break and enter such building or place for the purpose of executing such writ.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":243841,"text":"On a judgment for the recovery of specific property, a writ of possession for personal property or a writ of eviction for real property may issue for the specific property pursuant to an order of possession entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, which shall conform to the judgment as to the description of the property and the estate, title, and interest recovered, and there may also be issued a writ of fieri facias for the damages or profits and costs. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, the officer to whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed shall, at least 72 hours before execution, serve notice of intent to execute, including the date and time of execution, as well as the rights afforded to tenants in \u00a7\u00a7 55.1-1255 and 55.1-1416, together with a copy of the writ attached, on the defendant in person or, if the party to be served is not found at the specific property for which a writ of eviction has been issued, then service shall be effected by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other door as appears to be the main entrance of such property. The execution of the writ of eviction by the sheriff should occur within 15 calendar days from the date the writ of eviction is received by the sheriff, or as soon as practicable thereafter, but in no event later than 30 days from the date the writ of eviction is issued. An order of possession shall remain valid for 180 days from the date granted by the court. If a plaintiff cancels a writ of eviction, such plaintiff may request other writs of eviction during such 180-day period. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, whenever the officer to whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed finds the premises locked, he may, after declaring at the door the cause of his coming and demanding to have the door opened, employ reasonable and necessary force to break and enter the door and put the plaintiff in possession. The execution of the writ of eviction shall be effective against the tenants named in the writ of eviction and their authorized occupants, guests or invitees, and any trespassers in the premises. And an officer having a writ of possession for specific personal property, if he finds locked or fastened the building or place wherein he has reasonable cause to believe the property specified in the writ is located, may in the daytime, after notice to the defendant, his agent or bailee, break and enter such building or place for the purpose of executing such writ.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14906,"edition_id":1,"name":"Issue and Form; Motion to Quash","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13222,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:42","permalink":{"id":278065,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14906,"identifier":"1","token":"8.01\/18\/1","url":"\/8.01\/18\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13222,"edition_id":1,"name":"Executions and Other Means of Recovery","identifier":"18","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:28","permalink":{"id":278063,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13222,"identifier":"18","token":"8.01\/18","url":"\/8.01\/18\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":56904,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-466","catch_line":"Clerk to issue fieri facias on judgment for money","url":"\/8.01-466\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-466","metadata":false},{"id":74677,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-467","catch_line":"What writs may not issue","url":"\/8.01-467\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-467","metadata":false},{"id":83803,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-468","catch_line":"Executions against corporations","url":"\/8.01-468\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-468","metadata":false},{"id":80952,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-469","catch_line":"Executions on joint judgments","url":"\/8.01-469\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-469","metadata":false},{"id":67287,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-470","catch_line":"Writs on judgments for specific property","url":"\/8.01-470\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-470","metadata":false},{"id":78505,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-471","catch_line":"Time period for issuing writs of eviction in unlawful entry and detainer; when returnable","url":"\/8.01-471\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-471","metadata":false},{"id":76115,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-472","catch_line":"Writs on judgments for personal property","url":"\/8.01-472\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-472","metadata":false},{"id":75764,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-473","catch_line":"Judgment for benefit of other person than plaintiff; remedies of such person","url":"\/8.01-473\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-473","metadata":false},{"id":72960,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-474","catch_line":"What writ of fieri facias to command","url":"\/8.01-474\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-474","metadata":false},{"id":63076,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-475","catch_line":"Subsequent executions","url":"\/8.01-475\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-475","metadata":false},{"id":65809,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-476","catch_line":"New execution after loss of property sold under indemnifying bond","url":"\/8.01-476\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-476","metadata":false},{"id":64614,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-477","catch_line":"When executions may be quashed; how proceedings thereon stayed","url":"\/8.01-477\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-477","metadata":false},{"id":72198,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-477.1","catch_line":"Claims of exemption from execution","url":"\/8.01-477.1\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-477.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80952,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-469","catch_line":"Executions on joint judgments","url":"\/8.01-469\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-469","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":78505,"structure_id":14906,"section_number":"8.01-471","catch_line":"Time period for issuing writs of eviction in unlawful entry and detainer; when returnable","url":"\/8.01-471\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-471","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-470\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 1977, chapter 617; in 1991, chapter 503; in 2000, chapter 640<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 222<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 259<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 128<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 180<\/a> and 700<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":69130,"section_number":"55.1-1254","catch_line":"Disposal of property abandoned by tenants","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1254\/"},{"id":80063,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1255\/"},{"id":87436,"section_number":"55.1-1416","catch_line":"Authority of sheriffs to store and sell personal property removed from nonresidential premises; recovery of possession by owner; disposition or sale","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1416\/"},{"id":69380,"section_number":"8.01-129","catch_line":"Appeal from judgment of general district court","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-129\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":80063,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1255\/"},{"id":87436,"section_number":"55.1-1416","catch_line":"Authority of sheriffs to store and sell personal property removed from nonresidential premises; recovery of possession by owner; disposition or sale","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1416\/"}],"permalink":{"id":278083,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67287,"identifier":"8.01-470","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-470","url":"\/8.01-470\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-470\/","token":"8.01\/18\/1\/8.01-470","dublin_core":{"Title":"Writs on judgments for specific property","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-470","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

On a judgment<\/span> for the recovery of specific property, a writ of possession<\/span> for personal property or a writ of eviction for real property may issue<\/span> for the specific property pursuant to an order<\/span> of possession<\/span> entered by a court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span>, which shall conform to the judgment<\/span> as to the description of the property and the estate, title, and interest recovered, and there may also be issued a writ of fieri facias<\/span> for the damages<\/span> or profits and costs. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, the officer to whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed shall, at least 72 hours before execution, serve notice of intent<\/span> to execute, including the date and time of execution, as well as the rights afforded to tenants in \u00a7\u00a7 55.1-1255<\/a> and 55.1-1416<\/a>, together with a copy of the writ attached, on the defendant<\/span> in person<\/span> or, if the party<\/span> to be served is not found at the specific property for which a writ of eviction has been issued, then service shall be effected by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other door as appears to be the main entrance of such property. The execution of the writ of eviction by the sheriff<\/span> should occur within 15 calendar days from the date the writ of eviction is received by the sheriff<\/span>, or as soon as practicable thereafter, but in no event later than 30 days from the date the writ of eviction is issued. An order<\/span> of possession<\/span> shall remain valid for 180 days from the date granted by the court<\/span>. If a plaintiff<\/span> cancels a writ of eviction, such plaintiff<\/span> may request other writs<\/span> of eviction during such 180-day period. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, whenever the officer to whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed finds the premises locked, he may, after declaring at the door the cause of his coming and demanding to have the door opened, employ reasonable and necessary force to break and enter the door and put the plaintiff<\/span> in possession<\/span>. The execution of the writ of eviction shall be effective against the tenants named in the writ of eviction and their authorized occupants, guests or invitees, and any trespassers in the premises. And an officer having a writ of possession<\/span> for specific personal property, if he finds locked or fastened the building or place wherein he has reasonable cause to believe the property specified in the writ is located, may in the daytime, after notice to the defendant<\/span>, his agent or bailee, break and enter such building or place for the purpose of executing such writ.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWRITS ON JUDGMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROPERTY (\u00a7 8.01-470)\n\nOn a judgment for the recovery of specific property, a writ of possession for\npersonal property or a writ of eviction for real property may issue for the\nspecific property pursuant to an order of possession entered by a court of\ncompetent jurisdiction, which shall conform to the judgment as to the\ndescription of the property and the estate, title, and interest recovered, and\nthere may also be issued a writ of fieri facias for the damages or profits and\ncosts. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, the officer to\nwhom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed shall, at least 72\nhours before execution, serve notice of intent to execute, including the date\nand time of execution, as well as the rights afforded to tenants in \u00a7\u00a7\n55.1-1255 and 55.1-1416, together with a copy of the writ attached, on the\ndefendant in person or, if the party to be served is not found at the specific\nproperty for which a writ of eviction has been issued, then service shall be\neffected by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other\ndoor as appears to be the main entrance of such property. The execution of the\nwrit of eviction by the sheriff should occur within 15 calendar days from the\ndate the writ of eviction is received by the sheriff, or as soon as practicable\nthereafter, but in no event later than 30 days from the date the writ of\neviction is issued. An order of possession shall remain valid for 180 days from\nthe date granted by the court. If a plaintiff cancels a writ of eviction, such\nplaintiff may request other writs of eviction during such 180-day period. In\ncases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, whenever the officer to\nwhom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed finds the premises\nlocked, he may, after declaring at the door the cause of his coming and\ndemanding to have the door opened, employ reasonable and necessary force to\nbreak and enter the door and put the plaintiff in possession. The execution of\nthe writ of eviction shall be effective against the tenants named in the writ of\neviction and their authorized occupants, guests or invitees, and any trespassers\nin the premises. And an officer having a writ of possession for specific\npersonal property, if he finds locked or fastened the building or place wherein\nhe has reasonable cause to believe the property specified in the writ is\nlocated, may in the daytime, after notice to the defendant, his agent or bailee,\nbreak and enter such building or place for the purpose of executing such writ.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 8-402; 1977, c. 617; 1991, c. 503; 2000, c. 640; 2001, c.\n222; 2003, c. 259; 2007, c. 128; 2019, cc. 180, 700.","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}}