Cal. Civ. Code § 55.1-1233
Tenant to surrender possession of dwelling unit.
Operative Text
At the termination of the term of tenancy, whether by expiration of the rental agreement or by reason of default by the tenant, the tenant shall promptly vacate the premises, removing all items of personal property and leaving the premises in good and clean order, reasonable wear and tear excepted. If the tenant fails to vacate, the landlord may bring an action for possession and damages, including reasonable attorney fees.
Virginia Code § 55.1-1233 establishes what a tenant is expected to do when a tenancy ends, whether the rental agreement expires naturally or ends due to the tenant's default. The tenant must leave the premises promptly, take all personal belongings, and return the unit in good, clean condition — with an allowance for normal wear and tear. If the tenant does not vacate as required, the landlord has the legal option to pursue a court action seeking both possession of the property and monetary damages, which may include reasonable attorney fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1233, compliant operators typically document the condition of the unit at move-out, noting any damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and compare it against move-in records. If a tenant remains in the unit after the tenancy has ended, the statute provides a legal pathway to seek possession through the courts, along with damages and reasonable attorney fees. Maintaining thorough written records and dated photographs of the unit's condition before and after occupancy supports any subsequent action for possession or damages.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 55.1-1233 gives tenants a clear standard for what is expected at move-out: returning the unit clean and in good condition, with normal wear and tear explicitly excluded from tenant responsibility. Tenants who believe a landlord is improperly characterizing ordinary wear and tear as damage may raise that distinction when disputing any deductions from a security deposit. Tenant-rights organizations in Virginia can help renters understand what qualifies as reasonable wear and tear and what options exist if a dispute arises over the condition of the unit at the end of a tenancy.
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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