A Virginia special warranty deed documents the transfer of property ownership and warrants a clear title for the period in which the grantor held title, except for any encumbrances disclosed in the deed. The instrument states that the grantor has the legal right to convey their interest and that title issues that occurred before their ownership are the grantee’s responsibility to resolve. Under a special warranty deed, the grantor will only be liable for defending the title against claims made under them.

Special warranty deeds are typically used for foreclosed or commercial real estate (e.g., offices, stores, warehouses, etc.), or in cases where the title may have encumbrances that might prevent them from being conveyed under a “general warranty” deed.