39. Which of the following is TRUE in Virginia?
Answer: D
Self-help evictions are illegal.
In Virginia, self-help evictions are illegal, meaning landlords cannot forcibly remove tenants from their rental properties without following the proper legal processes.
A) Self-help evictions are legal.
This statement is incorrect because self-help evictions violate Virginia law, which requires landlords to go through the court system to evict tenants legally. Engaging in self-help eviction can lead to legal repercussions for landlords.
B) Self-help evictions are the first step in the eviction process.
This option is false as well. In Virginia, the eviction process must begin with a court order; self-help eviction is not recognized as a legitimate step in the legal eviction procedure.
C) Self-help evictions are legal with residential properties only.
This statement is misleading. Self-help evictions are illegal for all types of properties in Virginia, not just residential ones. Therefore, this option does not hold true in any context.
D) Self-help evictions are illegal.
This is the correct statement. Virginia law explicitly prohibits self-help evictions, ensuring that landlords must follow due process through the courts to evict tenants.
Conclusion
Self-help evictions are definitively illegal in Virginia, which protects tenants from unlawful eviction practices. Options A, B, and C all misrepresent the legal framework surrounding evictions in the state and fail to acknowledge the requirement for landlords to obtain a court order prior to eviction.