Cal. Civ. Code § 55.1-1210
Landlord and tenant remedies for abuse of access.
Operative Text
If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the landlord may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees. If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated demands for entry that is otherwise lawful but that have the effect of unreasonably harassing the tenant, the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the recurrence of the conduct, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the tenant may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
Virginia Code § 55.1-1210 establishes a two-sided framework for access disputes between landlords and tenants. When a tenant blocks lawful entry, the landlord may seek a court order compelling access or end the tenancy, and may recover actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees. Conversely, when a landlord enters unlawfully, enters in an unreasonable manner, or repeatedly demands entry in a way that amounts to harassment, the tenant holds parallel remedies: a court injunction against the conduct, lease termination, and recovery of actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1210, compliant property operators generally ensure that all entry requests are lawful, made at reasonable times, and not so frequent as to constitute harassment of the occupant. When a tenant refuses a lawful access request, operators typically document the refusal and understand that the statute provides a path to injunctive relief or lease termination, along with recovery of actual damages and reasonable attorney fees. Maintaining clear written records of entry notices and the reasons for each visit helps demonstrate that access practices align with the statute's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 55.1-1210 gives tenants explicit protections against unlawful entry, entry carried out in an unreasonable manner, and repeated entry demands that rise to the level of harassment. Tenants who believe a landlord has violated these standards may pursue injunctive relief through the courts to stop the conduct, terminate the rental agreement, and seek actual damages along with reasonable attorney fees. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help residents understand what documentation to gather and which remedies may be available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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