No covenant or promise by a lessee of nonresidential property to pay the rent, or that he will keep or leave the premises in good repair, shall have the effect, if the buildings on the premises are destroyed by fire or otherwise, in whole or in part, without fault or negligence on his part, or if he is deprived of the possession of the premises by the public enemy, of binding him to make such payment or repair or erect such buildings again, unless there are other words showing it to be the intent of the parties that he should be so bound. But in case of such destruction there shall be a reasonable reduction of the rent for such time as may elapse until there are again upon the premises buildings of as much value to the tenant for his purposes as what may have been so destroyed, and, in case of such deprivation of possession, a like reduction until possession of the premises is restored to him.
Code 1919, § 5180; Code 1950, § 55-226; 2017, c. 730; 2019, c. 712.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances
Chapter 14 - Nonresidential Tenancies
§ 55.1-1400. Applicability; right to terminate tenant
§ 55.1-1402. Apportionment on purchase of part of land by holder of rent
§ 55.1-1403. Perfection of lien or interest in leases, rents, and profits
§ 55.1-1405. Transfer of deposits upon purchase
§ 55.1-1406. Grantees and assignees have same rights against lessees as lessors
§ 55.1-1407. Lessees have same rights against grantees as against lessors
§ 55.1-1408. What powers to pass to grantee or devisee; when attornment unnecessary
§ 55.1-1409. When attornment void
§ 55.1-1412. Security systems for nonresidential rental property
§ 55.1-1414. Abandonment of nonresidential rental property
§ 55.1-1415. Failure to pay certain rents after five days' notice forfeits right of possession
§ 55.1-1417. Who may recover rent or possession
§ 55.1-1418. Remedy when rent is to be paid in other thing than money
§ 55.1-1419. Proceedings to establish right of reentry; judgment
§ 55.1-1420. When defendant barred of relief
§ 55.1-1421. How trustee or mortgagee relieved from the forfeiture
§ 55.1-1422. How owner relieved in court
§ 55.1-1423. How judgment of forfeiture prevented
§ 55.1-1424. When action for reentry brought
§ 55.1-1425. Written act of reentry to be returned and recorded and certificate of reentry published
§ 55.1-1427. How person entitled to lands may be restored to his possession
§ 55.1-1428. Limitation of action against person in possession by reentry