2006 Code of Virginia § 55-243 - How judgment of forfeiture prevented

55-243. How judgment of forfeiture prevented.

A. If any party having right or claim to such lands shall, at any time beforethe trial in such ejectment, or at or before the first court return date inan action of unlawful detainer seeking possession of a residential dwellingbased upon a default in rent, pay or tender to the party entitled to suchrent, or to his attorney in the cause, or pay into court, all the rent andarrears, along with any reasonable attorney's fees and late chargescontracted for in a written rental agreement, interest and costs, all furtherproceedings in the ejectment or unlawful detainer shall cease. If the personclaiming the land shall, upon bill filed as aforesaid, be relieved in equity,he shall hold the land as before the proceedings began, without a new leaseor conveyance. If the parties dispute the amount of rent and other chargesowed, the court shall take evidence on the issue and make orders for thetender, payment or refund of any appropriate amounts.

B. In cases of unlawful detainer, the tenant may invoke the rights granted bythis section no more than one time during any twelve-month period ofcontinuous residency in the rental dwelling unit.

(Code 1919, 5534; 1992, c. 427; 1998, c. 269.)