                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

WRITS ON JUDGMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROPERTY (§ 8.01-470)

On a judgment for the recovery of specific property, a writ of possession for
personal property or a writ of eviction for real property may issue for the
specific property pursuant to an order of possession entered by a court of
competent jurisdiction, which shall conform to the judgment as to the
description of the property and the estate, title, and interest recovered, and
there may also be issued a writ of fieri facias for the damages or profits and
costs. In cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, the officer to
whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed shall, at least 72
hours before execution, serve notice of intent to execute, including the date
and time of execution, as well as the rights afforded to tenants in §§
55.1-1255 and 55.1-1416, together with a copy of the writ attached, on the
defendant in person or, if the party to be served is not found at the specific
property for which a writ of eviction has been issued, then service shall be
effected by posting a copy of such process at the front door or at such other
door as appears to be the main entrance of such property. The execution of the
writ of eviction by the sheriff should occur within 15 calendar days from the
date the writ of eviction is received by the sheriff, or as soon as practicable
thereafter, but in no event later than 30 days from the date the writ of
eviction is issued. An order of possession shall remain valid for 180 days from
the date granted by the court. If a plaintiff cancels a writ of eviction, such
plaintiff may request other writs of eviction during such 180-day period. In
cases of unlawful entry and detainer and of ejectment, whenever the officer to
whom a writ of eviction has been delivered to be executed finds the premises
locked, he may, after declaring at the door the cause of his coming and
demanding to have the door opened, employ reasonable and necessary force to
break and enter the door and put the plaintiff in possession. The execution of
the writ of eviction shall be effective against the tenants named in the writ of
eviction and their authorized occupants, guests or invitees, and any trespassers
in the premises. And an officer having a writ of possession for specific
personal property, if he finds locked or fastened the building or place wherein
he has reasonable cause to believe the property specified in the writ is
located, may in the daytime, after notice to the defendant, his agent or bailee,
break and enter such building or place for the purpose of executing such writ.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 8-402; 1977, c. 617; 1991, c. 503; 2000, c. 640; 2001, c.
222; 2003, c. 259; 2007, c. 128; 2019, cc. 180, 700.