Va. Code » Title 8.01. Civil Remedies and Procedure » Chapter 18. Executions and Other Means of Recovery » Article 4. Enforcement Generally
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-491 (2026)

Officer may break open dwelling house and levy on property in personal possession of debtor

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An officer into whose hands an execution is placed to be levied, may, if need be, break open the outer doors of a dwelling house in the daytime, after having first demanded admittance of the occupant, in order to make a levy, and may also levy on property in the personal possession of the debtor if the same be open to observation.

Code 1950, § 8-422; 1977, c. 617.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1990–1994 · leading case: Williams v. Matthews, 448 S.E.2d 625 (Va. 1994).
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Williams v. Matthews, 448 S.E.2d 625 (Va. 1994). · cites it 2× “For example, Code § 8.01-491 provides: “An officer into whose hands an execution is placed to be levied, may, if need be, break open *284 the outer doors of a dwelling house in the daytime, after having first demanded admittance of the occupant, in order to make a levy.”
Anderson v. Busman, 20 Va. Cir. 211 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 1990). · cites it 3× “The Court takes note that under Va. Code § 8.01-491, an officer is authorized to break open the home of a debtor in the execution of a levy.”
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