                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

WHO MAY RECOVER RENT OR POSSESSION (§ 55.1-1257)

Notwithstanding any rule of court to the contrary, (i) any person licensed under
the provisions of § 54.1-2106.1, (ii) any property manager or the managing
agent of a landlord as defined in § 55.1-1200 pursuant to the written property
management agreement, or (iii) any employee, who is authorized in writing by a
corporate officer with the approval of the board of directors, or by a manager,
a general partner, or a trustee, of a partnership, association, corporation,
limited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation,
professional limited liability company, registered limited liability
partnership, registered limited liability limited partnership, business trust,
or family trust to sign pleadings as the agent of the business entity may obtain
a judgment (a) for possession in the general district court for the county or
city in which the premises, or part thereof, is situated or (b) for rent or
damages, including actual damages for breach of the rental agreement, or for
final rent and damages under § 8.01-128, in any general district court where
venue is proper under Chapter 5 (§ 8.01-257 et seq.) of Title 8.01, against any
defendant if the person seeking such judgment had a contractual agreement with
the landlord to manage the premises for which rent or possession is due and may
prepare, execute, file, and have served on other parties in any general district
court a warrant in debt, suggestion for summons in garnishment, garnishment
summons, order of possession, writ of eviction, or writ of fieri facias arising
out of a landlord-tenant relationship. However, the activities of any such
person in court shall be limited by the provisions of § 16.1-88.03. However,
nothing shall be construed as preventing a nonlawyer from requesting relief from
the court as provided by law or statute when such nonlawyer is before the court
on one of the actions specified herein.

HISTORY: 1983, c. 8, § 55-246.1; 1989, c. 612; 1998, c. 452; 2003, cc. 665,
667; 2004, cc. 338, 365; 2010, c. 550; 2013, c. 563; 2015, c. 190; 2018, c. 221;
2019, cc. 180, 477, 700, 712.