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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>75626</law_id><section_number>8.01-128</section_number><catch_line>Verdict and judgment; damages</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>55.1-1257</reference><reference>55.1-1417</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.01">Civil Remedies and Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3">Actions</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="13">Unlawful Entry and Detainer</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> If it appears that the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> was forcibly or unlawfully turned out of <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, or that it was unlawfully detained from him, the <span class="dictionary">verdict</span> or <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> shall be for the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> for the premises, or such part thereof as may be found to have been so held or detained. The <span class="dictionary">verdict</span> or <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> shall also be for such <span class="dictionary">damages</span> as the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> may prove to have been sustained by him by reason of such forcible or unlawful entry, or unlawful detention, of such premises, and such rent as he may prove to have been owing to him. <a id="paragraph-271634" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-128/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> may, alternatively, receive a final, appealable <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> for <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of the property unlawfully entered or unlawfully detained and be issued an <span class="dictionary">order</span> of <span class="dictionary">possession</span> at the initial <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> on a <span class="dictionary">summons</span> for unlawful detainer, upon <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> presented by the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> to the <span class="dictionary">court</span>. At the initial <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, upon request of the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall bifurcate the unlawful detainer case and set a <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> date no later than 120 days from the date of the initial <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> to determine final rent and <span class="dictionary">damages</span>. On such <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> date, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall permit amendment of the amount requested on the <span class="dictionary">summons</span> for unlawful detainer filed in <span class="dictionary">court</span> in accordance with the (i) notice of <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> to establish final rent and <span class="dictionary">damages</span> mailed to the last known address of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> and filed with the <span class="dictionary">court</span> at least 15 days prior to the <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> date as provided herein, (ii) <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> presented to the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, and (iii) amounts contracted for in the rental agreement. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> who appears in <span class="dictionary">court</span> at the initial <span class="dictionary">court</span> date from contesting an <span class="dictionary">unlawful detainer action</span> as otherwise provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>.
			If under this section an <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> is taken as to <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, the entire case shall be considered appealed. The <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> shall, in the instance of a <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> taken under this section, mail to the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> at the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>&#x2019;s last known address at least 15 days prior to the <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> date a notice advising (a) of the <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> date, (b) of the amounts of final rent and <span class="dictionary">damages</span>, and (c) that the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> is seeking <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> for additional sums. A copy of such notice shall be filed with the <span class="dictionary">court</span>. <a id="paragraph-271635" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-128/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> No <span class="dictionary">verdict</span> or <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> rendered under this section shall bar any separate concurrent or future action for any such <span class="dictionary">damages</span> or rent as may not be so claimed. <a id="paragraph-271636" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.01-128/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 8-793; 1954, c. 609; 1977, c. 617; 2005, c. 779; 2010, c. 550; 2011, c. 76; 2016, c. 281; 2017, c. 481; 2019, cc. 180, 700.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
