Eviction Process in Alexandria VA: Steps, Timeline and Eviction Day
The eviction process in Alexandria VA runs through the court and the sheriff, never around them. A landlord serves the right written notice, files an unlawful detainer at Alexandria General District Court, wins an order of possession, waits out the 10-day appeal window, and then the Alexandria Sheriff's Office carries out the eviction under a writ.
Two things changed this year. The notice for unpaid rent is now 14 days, up from 5, and Alexandria's court runs an Eviction Diversion Program for rent cases. Many online guides still miss both. Below are the steps, the deadlines, and what eviction day looks like for the people who have to clear the unit. That last part is where FECH Moving & Cleaning Company comes in. We do the physical work, not the legal side.
Quick answer: the steps in the Alexandria eviction process
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What changed in 2026 for Alexandria landlords and tenants?
Virginia's nonpayment notice went from 5 days to 14 days on July 1, 2026, under Va. Code § 55.1-1245(F), according to Virginia REALTORS and the law firm Gentry Locke. Virginia REALTORS warns that an old 5-day form can create a procedural defect in the case.
Also on July 1, 2026, Alexandria General District Court adopted an Eviction Diversion Program for nonpayment cases, under Va. Code § 55.1-1262 as amended in 2026. We cover it at the hearing step below. Our statewide Virginia eviction guide has the broader picture.
Step 1: What notice does a landlord serve first?
Situation | Notice | Source |
Unpaid rent | 14 days from service to pay in full (was 5 days) | Va. Code § 55.1-1245(F) |
Lease violation that can be fixed | Terminates on day 30 or later if not fixed within 21 days | Va. Code § 55.1-1245(A) |
Month-to-month tenancy, no reason given | 30 days' written notice | Arlington County eviction guide |
The court cannot enter an order of possession unless a proper termination notice is shown in evidence (Va. Code § 8.01-126). Keep proof of how and when you served it. In a rent case, Arlington County's guide adds that a tenant can stop the eviction before the court date by paying everything owed, including costs, late charges and interest.
Step 2: How does a landlord file in Alexandria?
The case goes to the Clerk of Alexandria General District Court, 520 King Street, Suite 201 (703-746-4030, 8 am to 4 pm). The landlord, an agent or an attorney gives a sworn statement and the court issues a summons. The summons must be served at least 10 days before the return date. The first hearing has to happen within 21 days of filing, or 30 at the outside (Va. Code § 8.01-126). Call the clerk for the current filing fee.
Landlords must also serve Eviction Diversion Program information with every summons, the Alexandria Brief reports.
Step 3: What happens at the hearing?
Both sides appear before a judge. In a rent case the tenant can ask for the diversion program at the first docket call, and only then. The tenant pays at least 10% of the amount owed at that hearing, then three installments of 30% by the fifth of each following month, while also paying regular rent. If every payment is made, the case is dismissed. If a payment is missed, the tenant has 10 days to file a sworn affidavit, and without one the court enters an order of possession with no further hearing.
Landlords can still ask for a money judgment for final rent and damages, and after an order of possession the tenant has 10 days to appeal. For scale, the Alexandria Brief reported 1,150 unlawful detainer summonses and 469 writs of eviction from January 1 to April 1, 2026, with 97% of eviction cases over unpaid rent.
Step 4: What is a writ of eviction, and who carries it out?
Once the appeal period ends, the landlord asks the clerk for a writ of eviction. The order of possession stays valid for 180 days. The sheriff serves the writ on the tenant for $12 per tenant, per the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, and a deputy then calls the landlord to set the date. The civil process line is 703-746-4120.
Under Va. Code § 8.01-470, the eviction should happen within 15 calendar days of the sheriff receiving the writ and no later than 30 days after it is issued. The tenant must get at least 72 hours' notice with the date and time. If you have worked on a DC case, note the difference: DC uses U.S. Marshals, while Alexandria uses the city sheriff.
What happens on eviction day in Alexandria?
The Alexandria Sheriff's Office asks the landlord to choose one of two options:
Have a crew on site to move the tenant's belongings to the public sidewalk, plus a locksmith if the locks need changing.
Change the locks and give the tenant 24 hours to remove their own belongings.
Va. Code § 55.1-1255 sets the rules for the property. The sheriff oversees removal to the public way. The tenant can collect belongings at reasonable times during the 24 hours after the eviction, or later until the landlord disposes of them. At the landlord's request, property can go to a landlord-designated storage area, which may be the unit itself. After the 24 hours, the landlord must remove or dispose of what is left in the public way. Neither the sheriff nor the landlord carries the risk of loss during that window.
This is the work FECH does. Our crew and truck arrive on the sheriff's date, carry belongings out and load whatever needs hauling. If you pick the lock-change option, we can come back after the 24 hours to clear what is left. We do not give legal advice and we do not file anything, and we need you or your representative there to give us access. Our Alexandria office is at 5510 Cherokee Ave, Suite 300. Read more about our eviction services.
How long does the eviction process in Alexandria VA take?
There is no published average, so here are the fixed pieces.
Notice: 14 days for unpaid rent, or 30 days for a lease violation with a 21-day fix period.
Court: summons served at least 10 days before the return date, first hearing within 21 to 30 days of filing.
Appeal: 10 days after the order of possession.
Sheriff: eviction within 15 calendar days of receiving the writ, 30 at the outside, with 72 hours' notice to the tenant.
What does it cost?
Prices change, so this lists cost factors, not quotes.
Cost factor | Notes |
Court filing fee | Ask the clerk at 703-746-4030 for the current amount. |
Sheriff service of the writ | $12 per tenant, per the Alexandria Sheriff's Office. |
Attorney | Optional. Many landlords use one for notices and hearings. |
Locksmith | Needed if the locks change on eviction day. |
Crew, truck and disposal | Depends on unit size, volume and hours. Ask for a written estimate. |
Landlord checklist before eviction day
Confirm the notice used the current 14-day rule for unpaid rent.
Serve Eviction Diversion Program information with the summons.
Answer the deputy's call and note the date and time.
Decide between the sidewalk crew option and the 24-hour lock change.
Book the locksmith and the cleanout crew for the sheriff's date.
Plan what happens to belongings under § 55.1-1255 before the day arrives.
Common mistakes in the eviction process in Alexandria VA
Using an old 5-day rent notice after July 1, 2026.
Locking a tenant out or removing belongings before the sheriff acts.
Requesting the writ before the 10-day appeal period ends.
Missing the deputy's call to schedule the eviction.
Arriving on eviction day with no crew or locksmith.
Leaving belongings in the public way past the 24 hours.
What should tenants know?
Only the court can order an eviction, and the sheriff carries it out. Ask for the diversion program at the first docket call if the case is about rent. Rental assistance runs through the city's Department of Community and Human Services at 703-746-5700, and the Landlord/Tenant Relations Office is at 703-746-4990. Move belongings out before the sheriff's date.
FAQs about evictions in Alexandria
Can a landlord evict a tenant in Alexandria without going to court?
No. A landlord needs a court order of possession, and then the sheriff carries out the eviction under a writ. A lockout or removing belongings before that puts the landlord at legal risk.
Who carries out an eviction in Alexandria?
The Alexandria Sheriff's Office, under a writ of eviction from the General District Court. A landlord, property manager or moving crew cannot do it alone.
How much notice does a landlord give for unpaid rent now?
14 days from service, for notices on or after July 1, 2026. It used to be 5 days. A form that still says 5 days is out of date.
Can a tenant stay by catching up on rent?
Sometimes. A tenant who pays everything owed before the court date can stop the case, and Arlington County notes this right can be used once in any 12-month period. In Alexandria's court, a tenant can also ask for the Eviction Diversion Program at the first docket call.
How long does a tenant have to appeal?
10 days from the order of possession. The court does not send a formal reminder, so the tenant should confirm the date with the clerk.
What happens to belongings after the sheriff evicts a tenant?
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1255, the tenant gets 24 hours to collect them. After that the landlord must remove or dispose of anything left in the public way, and may dispose of stored items as the landlord sees fit. Sale proceeds go to the tenant's account.
Does FECH handle the legal side of an eviction?
No. We handle the physical work after the legal steps are done: carrying out, loading, hauling and cleaning. For notices, filings and court, talk to a Virginia landlord-tenant attorney.
Need a crew for an Alexandria eviction?
If you are a landlord, property manager or office manager planning an eviction in Alexandria, send us the address, the unit size and the date the sheriff gave you. We will reply with a free quote. You can also see our moving services or call 301-900-6637. Get a Free Quote
This article is general information, not legal advice. Virginia and Alexandria rules changed in 2026, so confirm current notice, fee and court details with the Alexandria General District Court clerk, the Alexandria Sheriff's Office or a Virginia landlord-tenant attorney. Last updated: November 3, 2026.
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About the author Ade is the owner of FECH Moving & Cleaning Company, which serves Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and New York with moving, cleaning, eviction and junk removal crews. |
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