# 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

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T55.1_SIII_C12_A4_S55.1-1243.1

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1243.1
- **Heading:** Tenant's remedies for exclusion from dwelling unit, interruption of services, or actions taken to make premises unsafe
- **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 55.1-1243.1

## Text

A. A general district court shall enter an order pursuant to this section upon petition by a tenant who presents evidence establishing that his landlord has willfully and without authority from the court (i) removed or excluded the tenant from the dwelling unit unlawfully, (ii) interrupted or caused the interruption of an essential service to the tenant, or (iii) taken action to make the premises unsafe for habitation.

B. An order entered pursuant to this section may require the landlord to (i) allow the tenant to recover possession of the dwelling unit, (ii) resume any such interrupted essential service, or (iii) fix any willful actions taken by the landlord or his agent to make the premises unsafe for habitation.

C. The initial hearing on the tenant's petition shall be held within five calendar days from the date of the filing of the petition. The court may issue a preliminary order ex parte to require the landlord to take action described in subsection B if the court finds (i) there is good cause shown to do so and (ii) the tenant made reasonable efforts to alert the landlord of the hearing. Any preliminary ex parte order issued pursuant to this section shall further include a date of no more than 10 days after the initial hearing for a full hearing to consider the merits of the petition and the damages described in subsection D. At the full hearing, the court may terminate the rental agreement upon request of the tenant and order the landlord to return all of the security deposit in accordance with § 55.1-1226 .

D. In a full hearing on a petition filed pursuant to this section and upon evidence presented establishing one or more of the factors in subsection A, the tenant shall recover (i) the actual damages sustained by him; (ii) statutory damages of $5,000 or four months' rent, whichever is greater; and (iii) reasonable attorney fees.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 403 , 404 .

## 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_S55.1-1243.1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.