<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>75889</law_id><section_number>55.1-2303</section_number><catch_line>Blanket encumbrances</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><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="IV">Common Interest Communities</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="23">Subdivided Land Sales Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It is unlawful for any <span class="dictionary">developer</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> to sell or lease a <span class="dictionary">lot</span> in a subdivision that is subject to a <span class="dictionary">blanket encumbrance</span> unless the <span class="dictionary">blanket encumbrance</span> or effective supplemental agreement contains a release provision permitting legal title to individual <span class="dictionary">lots</span> or other interest contracted for to be obtained free and clear of the <span class="dictionary">blanket encumbrance</span>. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit either the conditions upon which such release may be premise or the modification or amendment of such release provision as to (i) any <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span> other than a <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span> under an installment <span class="dictionary">sales</span> <span class="dictionary">contract</span> or (ii) any <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span> under an installment <span class="dictionary">sales</span> <span class="dictionary">contract</span> that is executed subsequent to the recordation of the amendment or modification. <a id="paragraph-272473" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2303/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Unless <span class="dictionary">blanket encumbrance</span> release provisions provide that the <span class="dictionary">lien</span> of the <span class="dictionary">blanket encumbrance</span> is subordinate to the rights of <span class="dictionary">persons</span> purchasing from the <span class="dictionary">developer</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> and that those <span class="dictionary">purchasers</span> have the unconditional right to obtain legal title or other interest contracted for free and clear of the <span class="dictionary">blanket encumbrance</span> upon compliance with the terms and conditions of the purchase or lease, it is unlawful for a <span class="dictionary">developer</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> to sell or lease <span class="dictionary">lots</span> except in compliance with one of the following conditions: <a id="paragraph-272474" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2303/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Any earnest money deposit or advance or other payment made by the <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span> on account of the purchase of a <span class="dictionary">lot</span> is placed in an escrow account that is a trust account maintained in a federally insured depository located in the Commonwealth and that fully protects the interest of the <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span> until:
				a. Fee title or other interest contracted for is conveyed to the <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span> free and clear of the <span class="dictionary">blanket encumbrance</span>;
				b. Either the <span class="dictionary">developer</span> or <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span> <span class="dictionary">defaults</span> under the <span class="dictionary">contract</span> and a final determination as to the disbursal of sums paid is made by a <span class="dictionary">court</span> of competent <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>; or
				c. The <span class="dictionary">developer</span> voluntarily <span class="dictionary">orders</span> the return of the money to the <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span>; or <a id="paragraph-272475" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2303/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Title to the subdivision is held in trust under a trust agreement until a proper release is obtained and legal title or other interest contracted for is conveyed to the <span class="dictionary">purchaser</span>. <a id="paragraph-272476" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2303/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1978, c. 510, &#xA7; 55-342; 1980, c. 546; 1996, c. 372; 2019, c. 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
