What happens if a tenant breaks a lease in Virginia?
In Virginia, a landlord whose tenant abandons the unit must mitigate damages, and a claim for rent runs only until the lease term ends or a new tenancy begins, whichever comes first. The rental agreement is treated as terminated by the landlord on the date the tenant abandons the unit. In a judgment for damages obtained after possession, the landlord may not seek accelerated rent through the end of the term. Separately, federal law lets a servicemember end a lease early after receiving qualifying military orders. This is Va. Code §§ 55.1-1249, 55.1-1251.
| What | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Landlord’s duty to re-rent | Required by statute |
| What it means | The landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent |
Source
Va. Code §§ 55.1-1249, 55.1-1251
Read the statute in the Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly): law.lis.virginia.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora keeps every lease’s term, rent and signers in one record and dates every change to it. This page states the state’s rule so a lease’s own early-termination and sublet clauses can be checked against it before the lease is signed.
Guides on this rule
- Breaking a Lease by State: What the Tenant Owes — What a tenant owes after leaving a lease early, and the 34 states whose statutes say whether the landlord must try to re-rent the home.
Compare this rule in every state
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- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in Virginia?
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- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in Virginia?
- Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in Virginia?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Virginia?
- Can a tenant repair and deduct from rent in Virginia?
- Can a tenant sublet in Virginia?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in Virginia?
- Every Virginia rule on one page
The same question in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas