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Eviction timeline in Virginia

Virginia Eviction Timeline

Uncontested: 21–45 days  ·  Contested: 45–120 days  ·  Under Va. Code § 55.1-1200 et seq. (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)

The Virginia eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.

Virginia Eviction Timeline at a Glance1

21–45 days Uncontested
45–120 days Contested
$58–$90 Court filing fee
$500–$3,000 Attorney fees (est.)
#4 of 51 Fastest nationally
Uncontested eviction (after filing) 21–45 days Va. Code § 55.1-1200 et seq. (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
Contested eviction (after filing) 45–120 days Va. Code § 55.1-1200 et seq. (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
Pre-filing notice: Nonpayment of rent 5 days Va. Code § 55.1-1245
Pre-filing notice: Material lease violation 21 days Va. Code § 55.1-1245(A)
Pre-filing notice: Material non-curable breach 30 days Va. Code § 55.1-1245(B)
Pre-filing notice: End of month-to-month tenancy 30 days Va. Code § 55.1-1253
Court filing fee $58–$90 Va. Code § 55.1-1200 et seq. (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)

Step-by-step Virginia eviction process

Day-by-day, every stage.

Each row's day-label is the cumulative start of that stage on the worst-case clock.
Pre-filing Notice File Court Lockout
  1. 5d
    1
    Stage 1 · Gate

    5-day pay-or-quit notice

    Day 1

    Written notice with the EDP disclosure for covered jurisdictions. Calendar days; clock starts day after service.

  2. 0–30d
    2
    Stage 2 · Gate

    EDP payment plan offer (covered jurisdictions)

    Day 6

    In covered jurisdictions (Richmond, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, parts of Northern Virginia), the landlord must offer a court-ordered payment plan before filing. Va. Code § 55.1-1262.

  3. 1–3d
    3
    Stage 3 · Serve

    File unlawful detainer in GDC

    Day 36

    General District Court for the city or county. Filing fee $58 to $151. Note Virginia distinguishes cities and counties as separate jurisdictions.

  4. 10d
    4
    Stage 4 · File

    Service and 10-day return date

    Day 39

    Sheriff serves summons at least 10 days before return date. Tenant must appear at return date.

  5. 0–30d
    5
    Stage 5 · Court

    Return date hearing and judgment

    Day 49

    Tenant contests or admits at return date. Uncontested = default judgment. Contested cases continued for separate trial date.

  6. Same day
    6
    Stage 6 · Lockout

    Pay-and-stay window

    Day 79

    Tenant may pay all amounts owed up to 48 hours before scheduled writ execution and stop the eviction (Va. Code § 55.1-1250). Virginia is unusually tenant-favorable on this point.

  7. 5–14d
    7
    Stage 7 · Lockout

    Writ of eviction and sheriff lockout

    Day 79

    After judgment, court issues writ of eviction. Sheriff serves with 72 hours notice before lockout.

  8. Day 93
    ✓
    Possession recovered
    Worst case · Day 93
Timelines begin at court filing, not notice service. The Virginia timelines above start when the landlord files the eviction complaint with the court. Add pre-filing notice periods (3–60 days depending on eviction reason) to get the full end-to-end timeline. Self-help eviction, changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities, is illegal in Virginia and exposes the landlord to significant damages.

Other Guides for Virginia

← Virginia Eviction Risk OverviewEviction Costs: VirginiaEviction Process: VirginiaRent Control Guide: VirginiaTenant Screening: VirginiaTenant Protections: VirginiaTenant Rights: VirginiaNotice Templates: Virginia

Eviction Timeline in Other States

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Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Virginia attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.