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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>74964</law_id><section_number>55.1-1220</section_number><catch_line>Landlord to maintain fit premises</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>55.1-1214</reference><reference>55.1-1229</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="III">Rental Conveyances</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="12">Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Landlord Obligations</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall: <a id="paragraph-269310" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety; <a id="paragraph-269311" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> in a fit and habitable condition; <a id="paragraph-269312" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Keep all common areas shared by two or more <span class="dictionary">dwelling units</span> of a multifamily <span class="dictionary">premises</span> in a clean and structurally safe condition; <a id="paragraph-269313" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Maintain in good and safe working <span class="dictionary">order</span> and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by him; <a id="paragraph-269314" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Maintain the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> in such a condition as to prevent the accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold and promptly respond to any <span class="dictionary">notices</span> from a <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> as provided in subdivision A 10 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Tenant to maintain dwelling unit" href="/55.1-1227/">55.1-1227</a>. Where there is <span class="dictionary">visible evidence of mold</span>, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall promptly remediate the mold conditions in accordance with the requirements of subsection E of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Duty of landlord and managing agent with respect to visible mold" href="/8.01-226.12/">8.01-226.12</a> and reinspect the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> to confirm that there is no longer <span class="dictionary">visible evidence of mold</span> in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall provide a <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> with a copy of a summary of information related to mold remediation occurring during that tenancy and, upon request of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>, make available the full package of such information and reports not protected by attorney-client <span class="dictionary">privilege</span>. Once the mold has been remediated in accordance with professional standards, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall not be required to make disclosures of a past incidence of mold to subsequent <span class="dictionary">tenants</span>; <a id="paragraph-269315" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles and conveniences for the collection, storage, and removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of <span class="dictionary">dwelling units</span> and arrange for the removal of same; <a id="paragraph-269316" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and reasonable air conditioning if provided and heat in season except where the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> is so constructed that heat, air conditioning, or hot water is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> or supplied by a direct public <span class="dictionary">utility</span> connection; and <a id="paragraph-269317" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Provide a certificate to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> stating that all smoke alarms are present, have been inspected, and are in good working <span class="dictionary">order</span> no more than once every 12 months. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>, his employee, or an independent contractor may perform the inspection to determine that the smoke alarm is in good working <span class="dictionary">order</span>. <a id="paragraph-269318" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall perform the duties imposed by subsection A in accordance with <span class="dictionary">law</span>; however, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall only be liable for the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>&#x2019;s actual <span class="dictionary">damages</span> proximately caused by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>&#x2019;s failure to exercise ordinary care. <a id="paragraph-269319" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> If the duty imposed by subdivision A 1 is greater than any duty imposed by any other subdivision of that subsection, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>&#x2019;s duty shall be determined by reference to subdivision A 1. <a id="paragraph-269320" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> and <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> may agree in writing that the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> perform the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>&#x2019;s duties specified in subdivisions A 3, 6, and 7 and also specified repairs, maintenance tasks, alterations, and remodeling, but only if the transaction is entered into in <span class="dictionary">good faith</span> and not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> and if the agreement does not diminish or affect the obligation of the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> to other <span class="dictionary">tenants</span> in the <span class="dictionary">premises</span>. <a id="paragraph-269321" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1220/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1974, c. 680, &#xA7; 55-248.13; 1987, cc. 361, 636; 2000, c. 760; 2004, c. 226; 2007, c. 634; 2008, cc. 489, 640; 2009, c. 663; 2014, c. 632; 2015, c. 274; 2017, c. 730; 2018, cc. 41, 81; 2019, c. 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
