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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>63220</law_id><section_number>55.1-1227</section_number><catch_line>Tenant to maintain dwelling unit</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-922</reference><reference>36-99.5</reference><reference>55.1-1220</reference><reference>55.1-1226</reference><reference>55.1-1229</reference><reference>55.1-1231</reference><reference>55.1-1235</reference><reference>55.1-1236</reference><reference>55.1-1245</reference><reference>55.1-1248</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="3">Tenant Obligations</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> In addition to the provisions of the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span>, the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall: <a id="paragraph-230479" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon <span class="dictionary">tenants</span> by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety; <a id="paragraph-230480" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Keep that part of the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> and the part of the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> that he occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> permit; <a id="paragraph-230481" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Keep that part of the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> and the part of the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> that he occupies free from insects and pests, as those terms are defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/3.2-3900/">3.2-3900</a>, and promptly notify the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> of the existence of any insects or pests; <a id="paragraph-230482" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Remove from his <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner and in the appropriate receptacles provided by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>; <a id="paragraph-230483" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Keep all plumbing fixtures in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> or used by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> as clean as their condition permits; <a id="paragraph-230484" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Use in a reasonable manner all utilities and all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including an elevator in a multifamily <span class="dictionary">premises</span>, and keep all <span class="dictionary">utility</span> services paid for by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to the <span class="dictionary">utility</span> service provider or its agent on at all times during the term of the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span>; <a id="paragraph-230485" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> or permit any <span class="dictionary">person</span>, whether known by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> or not, to do so; <a id="paragraph-230486" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning smoke alarm installed by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>, including removing any working batteries, so as to render the alarm inoperative. The <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall maintain the smoke alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of smoke alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title" href="/27-94/">27-94</a> et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Enforcement of Code; appeals from decisions of local department; inspection of buildings; inspection warrants; inspection of elevators; issuance of permits" href="/36-105/">36-105</a>, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/36-97/">36-97</a> et seq.); <a id="paragraph-230487" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Not remove or tamper with a properly functioning carbon monoxide alarm installed by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>, including the removal of any working batteries, so as to render the carbon monoxide alarm inoperative. The <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall maintain the carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with the uniform set of standards for maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms established in the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title" href="/27-94/">27-94</a> et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Enforcement of Code; appeals from decisions of local department; inspection of buildings; inspection warrants; inspection of elevators; issuance of permits" href="/36-105/">36-105</a>, Part III of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/36-97/">36-97</a> et seq.); <a id="paragraph-230488" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Use reasonable efforts to maintain the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> and any other part of the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> that he occupies in such a condition as to prevent accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold and promptly notify the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any <span class="dictionary">visible evidence of mold</span> discovered by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>; <a id="paragraph-230489" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Not paint or disturb painted surfaces or make alterations in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> without the prior written approval of the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>, provided that (i) the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> was constructed prior to 1978 and therefore requires the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> to provide the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> with lead-based paint disclosures and (ii) the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> has provided the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> with such disclosures and the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> provides that the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> is required to obtain the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>&#x2019;s prior written approval before painting, disturbing painted surfaces, or making alterations in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>; <a id="paragraph-230490" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Be responsible for his conduct and the conduct of other <span class="dictionary">persons</span>, whether known by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> or not, who are on the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> with his consent, to ensure that his neighbors&#x2019; peaceful enjoyment of the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> will not be disturbed; <a id="paragraph-230491" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A13" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Abide by all reasonable rules and regulations imposed by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>; <a id="paragraph-230492" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A14" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Be financially responsible for the added cost of treatment or extermination due to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>&#x2019;s unreasonable delay in reporting the existence of any insects or pests and be financially responsible for the cost of treatment or extermination due to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>&#x2019;s fault in failing to prevent infestation of any insects or pests in the area occupied; and <a id="paragraph-230493" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A15" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Use reasonable care to prevent any dog or other animal in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>, <span class="dictionary">authorized occupants</span>, or guests or invitees from causing personal injuries to a third <span class="dictionary">party</span> in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> or on the <span class="dictionary">premises</span>, or property damage to the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> or the <span class="dictionary">premises</span>. <a id="paragraph-230494" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#A15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</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">tenant</span>&#x2019;s duty shall be determined by reference to subdivision A 1. <a id="paragraph-230495" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1227/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1974, c. 680, &#xA7; 55-248.16; 1987, c. 428; 1999, c. 80; 2000, c. 760; 2003, c. 355; 2004, c. 226; 2008, cc. 489, 617, 640; 2009, c. 663; 2011, c. 766; 2014, c. 632; 2016, c. 744; 2017, cc. 262, 730; 2018, cc. 41, 81, 221; 2019, c. 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
