VirginiaHB8032026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Repairs or maintenance of property; entering adjoining property, petition for entry.

Sponsored By: Betsy B. Carr (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Repairs or maintenance of property; entering adjoining property; petition for entry. Allows an owner of real property who seeks to repair or maintain the exterior of his property to petition the circuit court for a right of entry to an adjoining property for the purpose of performing the repairs or maintenance when the property is so situated that it is impossible to perform the repairs or maintenance without entering such adjoining property and permission to enter such adjoining property has been denied. The bill requires the petition and affidavits to contain specific information including the nature of the repairs and what efforts were made by the owner to obtain permission. The bill also provides that the petitioner shall be required to return the adjoining property to its previous condition and shall be liable to the adjoining owner or his lessee for actual damages occurring as a result of the entry. This bill is identical to SB 77.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Court access to neighbor's land for repairs

The law lets a property owner ask the circuit court to enter a neighbor’s land to do exterior repairs when access is needed and the neighbor refused or set unreasonable terms. The owner must first try in good faith to get permission and properly serve the neighbor with the petition. The petition must list the exact work, why entry is needed, the date, who will enter, and proof of proper licensing and insurance; the court system provides a standard form. After a hearing, the court can allow entry on fair terms and may require a bond. Court-ordered entry is not trespass, but the owner must restore the property and pay any actual damages.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Betsy B. Carr

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 175 • No: 43

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 31 • No: 6

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/18/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 11 • No: 2

House vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 69 • No: 29

House vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute

Yes: 16 • No: 4

House vote 1/26/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 8 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0428)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 428 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB803ER)

    2/25/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    2/25/2026House
  7. Signed by President

    2/25/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    2/25/2026House
  9. Passed Senate (31-Y 6-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

    2/23/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/20/2026Senate
  12. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/20/2026Senate
  13. Rules suspended

    2/20/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Courts of Justice (11-Y 2-N)

    2/18/2026Senate
  15. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/4/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/4/2026Senate
  17. Read third time and passed House (69-Y 29-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026House
  18. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/2/2026House
  19. committee substitute agreed to

    2/2/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/2/2026House
  21. Read first time

    1/30/2026House
  22. Committee substitute printed 26106221D-H1

    1/28/2026House
  23. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (16-Y 4-N)

    1/28/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 2-N)

    1/26/2026House
  25. House subcommittee offered

    1/26/2026House

Bill Text

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