<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>64337</law_id><section_number>55.1-1229</section_number><catch_line>Access; consent; correction of nonemergency conditions; relocation of tenant; security systems</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>55.1-1982</reference><reference>55.1-2164</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> 1. The <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> to enter into the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to inspect the <span class="dictionary">premises</span>; make necessary or agreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; supply necessary or agreed-upon services; or exhibit the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, <span class="dictionary">tenants</span>, workmen, or contractors. <a id="paragraph-234141" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If, upon inspection of a <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> during the term of a tenancy, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> determines there is a violation by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Tenant to maintain dwelling unit" href="/55.1-1227/">55.1-1227</a> or the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Remedy by repair, etc.; emergencies" href="/55.1-1248/">55.1-1248</a>, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may make such repairs and send the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> an invoice for payment. If, upon inspection of the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> during the term of a tenancy, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> discovers a violation of the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span>, this chapter, or other applicable <span class="dictionary">law</span>, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may send a <span class="dictionary">written notice</span> of termination pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective the later of July 1, 2028, or 7 years after the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency expires) Noncompliance with rental agreement; monetary penalty" href="/55.1-1245/">55.1-1245</a>. <a id="paragraph-234142" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> so provides and if a <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> without <span class="dictionary">reasonable justification</span> declines to permit the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> or <span class="dictionary">managing agent</span> to exhibit the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> for sale or lease, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may recover <span class="dictionary">damages</span>, costs, and reasonable attorney fees against such <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>.
				As used in this subdivision, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">reasonable justification</span>&#x201D; includes the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>&#x2019;s reasonable concern for his own health, or the health of any <span class="dictionary">authorized occupant</span>, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers and duties of Governor" href="/44-146.17/">44-146.17</a> in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/44-146.16/">44-146.16</a>, provided that the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> has provided <span class="dictionary">written notice</span> to the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> informing the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> of such concern. In such circumstances, the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall provide to the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> or <span class="dictionary">managing agent</span> a video tour of the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> or other acceptable substitute for exhibiting the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> for sale or lease. <a id="paragraph-234143" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may enter the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> without consent of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> in case of emergency. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>. Except in case of emergency or if it is impractical to do so, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall give the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> notice of his <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Unless impractical to do so, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall give the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> at least 72 hours&#x2019; notice of routine maintenance to be performed that has not been requested by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>. Such routine maintenance shall be performed within 14 days of delivery of the notice to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>, and the notice shall state the last date on which the maintenance may possibly be performed. If the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> makes a request for maintenance, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> is not required to provide notice to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers and duties of Governor" href="/44-146.17/">44-146.17</a> in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/44-146.16/">44-146.16</a>, the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> may provide <span class="dictionary">written notice</span> to the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> requesting that one or more <span class="dictionary">nonemergency property conditions</span> in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> not be addressed in the normal course of business of the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> due to such communicable disease of public health threat. In such case, the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall be deemed to have waived any and all claims and rights under this chapter against the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> for failure to address such <span class="dictionary">nonemergency property conditions</span>. At any time thereafter, the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> may consent in writing to the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> addressing such <span class="dictionary">nonemergency property conditions</span> in the normal course of business of the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>. In the case of a <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> who has provided notice that he does not want nonemergency repairs made during the state of emergency due to a communicable disease of public health threat, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may nonetheless enter the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> to do nonemergency repairs and maintenance with at least seven days&#x2019; <span class="dictionary">written notice</span> to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> and at a time consented to by the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>, no more than once every six months, provided that the employees and agents sent by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> are wearing all appropriate and reasonable personal protective equipment as required by state <span class="dictionary">law</span>. Furthermore, if the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> is required to conduct maintenance or an inspection pursuant to the agreement for the loan or insurance policy that covers the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>, the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall allow such maintenance or inspection, provided that the employees and agents sent by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> are wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment as required by state <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-234144" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> During the pendency of an <span class="dictionary">unlawful detainer</span> filed by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> against the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may request the <span class="dictionary">court</span> to enter an <span class="dictionary">order</span> requiring the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to provide the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> with access to such <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>. <a id="paragraph-234145" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Upon the sole determination by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> of the existence of a <span class="dictionary">nonemergency property condition</span> in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> that requires the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to temporarily vacate the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> in <span class="dictionary">order</span> for the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> to properly remedy such property condition, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may, upon at least 30 days&#x2019; <span class="dictionary">written notice</span> to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>, require the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to temporarily vacate the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> for a period not to exceed 30 days to a comparable <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>, or hotel, as selected by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> and at no expense or cost to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall not be required to pay for any other expenses of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> that arise after the temporary relocation period. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> and <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> may agree for the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to temporarily vacate the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> in less than 30 days. For purposes of this subsection, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">nonemergency property condition</span>&#x201D; means (i) a condition in the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> that, in the determination of the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>, is necessary for the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> to remedy in <span class="dictionary">order</span> for the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> to be in compliance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Landlord to maintain fit premises" href="/55.1-1220/">55.1-1220</a>; (ii) the condition does not need to be remedied within a 24-hour period, with any condition that needs to be remedied within 24 hours being defined as an &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">emergency condition</span>&#x201D;; and (iii) the condition can only be effectively remedied by the temporary relocation of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.
			The <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> shall continue to be responsible for payment of <span class="dictionary">rent</span> under the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> during the period of any temporary relocation. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall pay all costs of repairs or remediation required to address the <span class="dictionary">nonemergency property condition</span>. Refusal of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to cooperate with a temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed a breach of the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span>, unless the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> agrees to vacate the unit and terminate the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> within the 30-day notice period. If the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> properly remedies the <span class="dictionary">nonemergency property condition</span> within the 30-day period, nothing in this section shall be construed to entitle the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to terminate the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span>. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> from taking legal <span class="dictionary">action</span> against the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> for any noncompliance that occurs during the period of any temporary relocation pursuant to this subsection. During the pendency of an <span class="dictionary">unlawful detainer</span> filed by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> against the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may request the <span class="dictionary">court</span> to enter an <span class="dictionary">order</span> requiring the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> to provide the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> with access to such <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>. <a id="paragraph-234146" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> has no other right to access except by <span class="dictionary">court order</span> or that permitted by &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Remedy by repair, etc.; emergencies" href="/55.1-1248/">55.1-1248</a> and <a class="law" title="Remedies for absence, nonuse, and abandonment" href="/55.1-1249/">55.1-1249</a> or if the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> has abandoned or surrendered the <span class="dictionary">premises</span>. <a id="paragraph-234147" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> may install within the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> new security systems that the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> may believe necessary to ensure his safety, including chain latch devices approved by the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> and fire detection devices, provided that: <a id="paragraph-234148" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Installation does no permanent damage to any part of the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>; <a id="paragraph-234149" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A duplicate of all keys and instructions for the operation of all devices are given to the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>; and <a id="paragraph-234150" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Upon termination of the tenancy, the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> is responsible for payment to the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> for reasonable costs incurred for the removal of all such devices and repairs to all damaged areas. <a id="paragraph-234151" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#D3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Upon written request of a <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> in a <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span>, the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall install a carbon monoxide alarm in the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> within 90 days. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> may charge the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> a reasonable fee to recover the costs of the equipment and labor for such installation. The <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>&#x2019;s installation of a carbon monoxide alarm shall be in compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/36-97/">36-97</a> et seq.). <a id="paragraph-234152" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1229/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1974, c. 680, &#xA7; 55-248.18; 1993, c. 634; 1995, c. 601; 1999, c. 65; 2000, c. 760; 2001, c. 524; 2004, c. 307; 2008, cc. 489, 617; 2009, c. 663; 2011, c. 766; 2014, c. 632; 2015, c. 596; 2016, c. 744; 2017, c. 730; 2018, cc. 41, 81; 2019, c. 712; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 409; 2024, c. 46.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
