Cal. Civ. Code § 55.1-1243.1
Tenant's remedies for exclusion from dwelling unit, interruption of services, or actions taken to make premises unsafe.
Operative 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 .
Va. Code § 55.1-1243.1 establishes a legal remedy when a landlord willfully locks out a tenant, cuts off essential services, or deliberately makes a rental unit unsafe without a court order authorizing such action. A tenant may petition a general district court, which must hold an initial hearing within five calendar days. If the court finds the landlord violated the provision, it can order restoration of possession, resumption of services, or repairs—and at a full hearing, the tenant is entitled to actual damages, statutory damages of $5,000 or four months' rent (whichever is greater), and reasonable attorney fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1243.1, compliant operators do not remove tenants, cut essential services, or take steps to make a unit uninhabitable outside of a court-authorized process. Landlords who need to address lease violations or regain possession generally pursue formal legal proceedings rather than self-help measures. Courts can act quickly under this provision—sometimes issuing preliminary orders before the landlord has a chance to respond—so operators typically ensure any access or service decisions are clearly authorized.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 55.1-1243.1 gives tenants the right to petition a general district court if a landlord unlawfully locks them out, cuts essential services, or deliberately makes the unit unsafe. The court must schedule an initial hearing within five calendar days, and may issue a preliminary order even before the landlord appears. Tenants who prevail at a full hearing are entitled to actual damages, statutory damages of $5,000 or four months' rent (whichever is greater), and attorney fees; tenant-rights organizations can help identify available options.
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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