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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>65576</law_id><section_number>55.1-1015</section_number><catch_line>Penalties and liabilities</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>55.1-1015.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="55.1">Property and Conveyances</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Real Estate Settlements and Recordation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="10">Real Estate Settlement Agents</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> If the appropriate <span class="dictionary">licensing authority</span> determines that the <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> licensed by it or any of its other licensees has violated this chapter, or any regulation or <span class="dictionary">order</span> adopted thereunder, after notice and opportunity to be heard, the appropriate <span class="dictionary">licensing authority</span> may do one or more of the following: <a id="paragraph-238362" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Impose a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> not exceeding $5,000 for each violation; <a id="paragraph-238363" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Revoke or suspend the applicable licenses; <a id="paragraph-238364" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> <span class="dictionary">Issue</span> a restraining <span class="dictionary">order</span> requiring such person to cease and desist from engaging in such act or practice; or <a id="paragraph-238365" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Require <span class="dictionary">restitution</span> to be made by the person violating this chapter in the amount of any actual, direct financial loss. <a id="paragraph-238366" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The appropriate <span class="dictionary">licensing authority</span> may terminate administratively the registration of any <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> if the <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> (i) no longer holds a license, (ii) fails to renew its registration, or (iii) fails to comply with the financial responsibility requirements set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Duties of settlement agents" href="/55.1-1004/">55.1-1004</a>. <a id="paragraph-238367" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> In addition to the authority given in subsection A, and pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Commission to have powers of court of record; rules and regulations; fines" href="/12.1-13/">12.1-13</a>, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>, after determining that any person who does not hold a license from the appropriate <span class="dictionary">licensing authority</span> has violated this chapter or any regulation or <span class="dictionary">order</span> adopted thereunder, may do one or more of the following: <a id="paragraph-238368" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Impose a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> not exceeding $5,000 for each violation; <a id="paragraph-238369" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> <span class="dictionary">Issue</span> a temporary or permanent <span class="dictionary">injunction</span>, or restraining <span class="dictionary">order</span> requiring such person to cease and desist from engaging in such act or practice; or <a id="paragraph-238370" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Require <span class="dictionary">restitution</span> to be made by the person violating this chapter in the amount of any actual, direct financial loss. <a id="paragraph-238371" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Nothing in this section shall affect the right of the appropriate <span class="dictionary">licensing authority</span> to impose any other penalties provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span> or regulation. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this section to the contrary, as to that portion of any complaint by a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to the real estate transaction arising under this chapter or any regulation or <span class="dictionary">order</span> adopted thereunder relating to the unauthorized practice of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, the Virginia State Bar, after complying with applicable <span class="dictionary">law</span> and regulation relating to unauthorized practice of <span class="dictionary">law</span> complaints and concluding the activity was not authorized by <span class="dictionary">statute</span> or regulation, may refer that portion of such complaint to the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> or an attorney for the Commonwealth. The <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> or attorney for the Commonwealth may, in addition to any other powers conferred on him by <span class="dictionary">law</span>, seek the issuance of a temporary or permanent <span class="dictionary">injunction</span> or restraining <span class="dictionary">order</span> against any person so violating this chapter or any regulation or <span class="dictionary">order</span> adopted thereunder. <a id="paragraph-238372" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> A <span class="dictionary">final order</span> of the <span class="dictionary">licensing authority</span> imposing a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> or ordering <span class="dictionary">restitution</span> may be recorded, enforced, and satisfied as <span class="dictionary">orders</span> of a <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> upon certification of such order by the <span class="dictionary">licensing authority</span>. <a id="paragraph-238373" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1015/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1997, c. 716, &#xA7; 6.1-2.27; 2000, c. 549; 2004, c. 597; 2009, c. 256; 2010, c. 794, &#xA7; 55-525.31; 2019, c. 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
