Cal. Civ. Code § 55.1-1246
Barring guest or invitee of a tenant.
Operative Text
A. A guest or invitee of a tenant may be barred from the premises by the landlord upon written notice served personally upon the guest or invitee of the tenant for conduct on the landlord's property where the premises are located that violates the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, a local ordinance, or a state or federal law. A copy of the notice shall be served upon the tenant in accordance with this chapter. The notice shall describe the conduct of the guest or invitee that is the basis for the landlord's action. B. In addition to the remedies against the tenant authorized by this chapter, a landlord may apply to the magistrate for a warrant for trespass, provided that the guest or invitee has been served in accordance with subsection A. C. The tenant may file a tenant's assertion, in accordance with § 55.1-1244 , requesting that the general district court review the landlord's action to bar the guest or invitee.
Virginia Code § 55.1-1246 establishes a process by which a landlord may formally bar a tenant's guest or invitee from the rental property when that person's conduct violates the rental agreement, a local ordinance, or state or federal law. The landlord must serve written notice directly on the guest or invitee describing the specific conduct at issue, and must also provide a copy of that notice to the tenant. Once proper notice has been served, the landlord may seek a trespass warrant through a magistrate, and the tenant retains the right to ask a general district court to review the landlord's decision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1246, compliant operators document the specific conduct that forms the basis for barring a guest or invitee before taking any action. Written notice is personally served on the guest or invitee and describes the offending conduct in detail, while a copy is simultaneously delivered to the tenant in the manner required by the chapter. Landlords who follow this notice procedure preserve their ability to pursue a trespass warrant through a magistrate if the barred individual returns to the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 55.1-1246 gives tenants the right to challenge a landlord's decision to bar a guest or invitee by filing a tenant's assertion with the general district court under § 55.1-1244, which triggers a judicial review of the landlord's action. Tenants should be aware that the landlord is required to serve written notice on the guest or invitee and provide the tenant with a copy that describes the specific conduct cited as the reason for the bar. Tenants who believe a barring notice was issued improperly or without adequate basis may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Virginia landlord-tenant law for general information about 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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