# Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1239: Nature of rights; subordination of interests

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1239

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1239
- **Heading:** Nature of rights; subordination of interests
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 10.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 12.2 / Section 10.1-1239

## Text

A. Any person, including a person that owns an interest in the real property, the agency, or a municipality or other unit of local government, may be a holder. An environmental covenant may identify more than one holder. The interest of a holder is an interest in real property.

B. A right of an agency under this chapter or under an environmental covenant, other than a right as a holder, is not an interest in real property.

C. An agency is bound by any obligation it assumes in an environmental covenant, but an agency does not assume obligations merely by signing an environmental covenant. Any other person that signs an environmental covenant is bound by the obligations the person assumes in the covenant, but signing the covenant does not change obligations, rights, or protections granted or imposed under law other than this chapter except as provided in the covenant.

D. The following rules apply to interests in real property in existence at the time an environmental covenant is created or amended:

1. An interest that has priority under other law is not affected by an environmental covenant unless the person that owns the interest subordinates that interest to the covenant.

2. This chapter does not require a person that owns a prior interest to subordinate that interest to an environmental covenant or to agree to be bound by the covenant.

3. A subordination agreement may be contained in an environmental covenant covering real property or in a separate record. If the environmental covenant covers commonly owned property in a common interest community, the record may be signed by any person authorized by the governing board of the owners' association.

4. An agreement by a person to subordinate a prior interest to an environmental covenant affects the priority of that person's interest but does not by itself impose any affirmative obligation on the person with respect to the environmental covenant or affect that person's existing liability.

2010, c. 691 .

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1238 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1238.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1239 Nature of rights; subordination of interests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1239.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1240 Contents of environmental covenant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1240.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1241 Effect on other instruments; validity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1241.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1242 Relationship to other land use law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1242.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1243 Notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1243.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1244 Recording](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1244.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1245 Duration; amendment by court action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1245.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1246 Amendment or termination by consent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1246.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1247 Enforcement of environmental covenant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1247.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1248 Fees; Environmental Covenants Fund established](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1248.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1249 Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1249.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 10.1-1250 Regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1250.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T10.1_SII_C12.2_S10.1-1239. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.