                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS DESTROYED OR LESSEE DEPRIVED OF POSSESSION; COVENANT TO
PAY RENT OR REPAIR; REDUCTION OF RENT (§ 55.1-1411)

No covenant or promise by a lessee of nonresidential property to pay the rent,
or that he will keep or leave the premises in good repair, shall have the
effect, if the buildings on the premises are destroyed by fire or otherwise, in
whole or in part, without fault or negligence on his part, or if he is deprived
of the possession of the premises by the public enemy, of binding him to make
such payment or repair or erect such buildings again, unless there are other
words showing it to be the intent of the parties that he should be so bound. But
in case of such destruction there shall be a reasonable reduction of the rent
for such time as may elapse until there are again upon the premises buildings of
as much value to the tenant for his purposes as what may have been so destroyed,
and, in case of such deprivation of possession, a like reduction until
possession of the premises is restored to him.

HISTORY: Code 1919, § 5180; Code 1950, § 55-226; 2017, c. 730; 2019, c. 712.