# Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1238: Failure to deliver possession

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1238

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1238
- **Heading:** Failure to deliver possession
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 55.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12 / Article 4 / Section 55.1-1238

## Text

If the landlord willfully fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the tenant, then rent abates until possession is delivered, and the tenant may (i) terminate the rental agreement upon at least five days' written notice to the landlord, upon which termination the landlord shall return all prepaid rent and security deposits, or (ii) demand performance of the rental agreement by the landlord. If the tenant elects, he may file an action for possession of the dwelling unit against the landlord or any person wrongfully in possession and recover the damages sustained by him. If a person's failure to deliver possession is willful and not in good faith, an aggrieved person may recover from that person the actual damages sustained by him and reasonable attorney fees.

1974, c. 680, § 55-248.22; 2000, c. 760 ; 2019, c. 712 .

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1234 Noncompliance by landlord](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1234.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1234.1 Uninhabitable dwelling unit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1234.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1235 Early termination of rental agreement by military personnel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1235.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1236 Early termination of rental agreements by victims of family abuse, sexual abuse or other criminal sexual assault, or stalking](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1236.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1237 Notice to tenant in event of foreclosure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1237.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1238 Failure to deliver possession](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1238.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1239 Wrongful failure to supply an essential service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1239.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1240 (Effective until January 1, 2027) Fire or casualty damage](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1240.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1241 Landlord's noncompliance as defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1241.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1242 Rent escrow required for continuance of tenant's case](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1242.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1243 Repealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1243.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1243.1 Tenant's remedies for exclusion from dwelling unit, interruption of services, or actions taken to make premises unsafe](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1243.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1243.2 Tenant's remedies for exclusion from dwelling unit due to condemnation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1243.2.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1244 (Effective January 1, 2027) Tenant's assertion; rent escrow](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1244.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1238. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.