Opinion ID: 571716
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Future Rents

Text: 16 Green cites tenBraak v. Waffle Shops, Inc., 542 F.2d 919 (4th Cir.1976), for the proposition that a landlord who elects to re-enter the premises upon breach of a lease terminates the lease and limits his recovery to the amount of rent accrued. While this is an accurate statement of the general rule in Virginia, the parties in this case elected to contract on different terms, as was their right. It is well recognized, both at common law and under the law of Virginia, that parties to a contract of lease may modify their legal rights by provisions in the lease. tenBraak, 542 F.2d at 925 n. 8. In this case, Green and the Steins agreed in the lease agreement that [n]o such termination of this Lease nor recovering possession of the demised premises, however, shall deprive Landlord of any action or remedy against Tenant for possession, rent (accrued or to accrue) or damages.... Therefore, the district court properly refused Green's motion for j.n.o.v. concerning future rent. 5