55-225.2 - Remedies for landlord's unlawful ouster, exclusion or diminution of service. - Virginia Statutes

§ 55-225.2. Remedies for landlord's unlawful ouster, exclusion or diminutionof service.

If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes a tenant from residentialpremises or willfully diminishes services to a residential tenant byinterrupting or causing the interruption of gas, water or other essentialservice to the tenant, the tenant may recover possession and obtain an orderrequiring the resumption of any such interrupted utility service or terminatethe rental agreement and, in either case, recover the actual damagessustained by him and reasonable attorney's fees. If the rental agreement isterminated pursuant to this section, the landlord shall return all securitygiven by such tenant.

(1994, c. 583.)