reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 43-9 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-9. Perfection of lien by person performing labor or furnishing materials for a subcontractor; extent of lien

Any person performing labor or furnishing materials for a subcontractor, in order to perfect the lien given him by § 43-3, shall comply with the provisions of § 43-4, and in addition thereto give notice in writing to the owner of the property, or his agent, and to the general contractor, or his agent, of the amount and character of his claim. But the amount for which a lien may be perfected by such person shall not exceed the amount for which such subcontractor could himself claim a lien under § 43-7.Code 1919, § 6429.
VA Code § 43-11 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-11. How owner or general contractor made personally liable to subcontractor, laborer or materialman

1. Any subcontractor or person furnishing labor or material to the general contractor or subcontractor, may give a preliminary notice in writing to the owner or his agent or the general contractor, stating the nature and character of his contract and the probable amount of his claim.2. Additionally, if such subcontractor, or person furnishing labor or material shall at any time after the work is done or material furnished by him and before the expiration of thirty days from the time such building or structure is completed or the work thereon otherwise terminated furnish the owner thereof or his agent and also the general contractor, or the general contractor alone in case he is the only one notified, with a second notice stating a correct account, verified by affidavit, of his actual claim against the general contractor or subcontractor, for work done or materials furnished and of the amount due, then the owner, or the general contractor, if he alone was notified, shall be personally liable to the claimant for the actual amount due to the subcontractor or persons furnishing labor or material by the general contractor or subcontractor, provided the same does not exceed the sum in which the owner is indebted to the general contractor at the time the second notice is given or may thereafter become indebted by virtue of his contract with the general contractor, or in case the general contractor alone is notified the sum in which he is indebted to the subcontractor at the time the second notice is given or may thereafter become indebted by virtue of his contract with the general contractor. But the amount which a person supplying labor or material to a subcontractor can claim shall not exceed the amount for which such subcontractor could file his claim.3. Any bona fide agreement for deductions by the owner because of the failure or refusal of the general contractor to comply with his contract shall be binding upon such subcontractor, laborer or materialman.4. The provisions of this section are subject to the qualification that before any such personal liability of the owner or general contractor herein provided for shall be binding the two notices herein required, with such returns thereon as is sufficient under § 8.01-325, shall be recorded and indexed as provided in § 43-4.1 in the appropriate clerk's office; or the two notices herein required shall be mailed by registered or certified mail to and received by the owner or general contractor upon whom personal liability is sought to be imposed, and a return receipt therefor showing delivery to the addressee shall be prima facie evidence of receipt.1924, p. 658; Michie Code 1942, § 6429a; 1968, c. 568; 2002, c. 772.
VA Code § 43-13 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-13. Funds paid to general contractor or subcontractor must be used to pay persons performing labor or furnishing material

Any contractor or subcontractor or any officer, director or employee of such contractor or subcontractor who shall, with intent to defraud, retain or use the funds, or any part thereof, paid by the owner or his agent, the contractor, or the lender to such contractor or by the owner or his agent, the contractor, or the lender to a subcontractor under any contract for the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of any building or structure permanently annexed to the freehold for any other purpose than to pay persons performing labor upon or furnishing material for such construction, repair, removal, or improvement is guilty of larceny in appropriating such funds for any other use while any amount for which the contractor or subcontractor may be liable or become liable under his contract for such labor or materials remains unpaid and may be prosecuted upon complaint of any person or persons who have not been fully paid any amount due them.The use by any such contractor or subcontractor or any officer, director, or employee of such contractor or subcontractor of any moneys paid under the contract before paying all amounts due or to become due for labor performed or material furnished for such building or structure for any other purpose than paying such amounts due on the project shall be prima facie evidence of intent to defraud. Any breach or violation of this section may give rise to a civil cause of action for a party in contract with the general contractor or subcontractor, as appropriate; however, this right does not affect a contractor's or subcontractor's right to withhold payment for failure to properly perform labor or furnish materials on the project. Any contract or subcontract provision that allows a contracting party to withhold funds due under one contract or subcontract for alleged claims or damages due on another contract or subcontract is void as against public policy.1932, p. 483; Michie Code 1942, § 6429b; 1968, c. 568; 1980, c. 390; 1982, c. 391; 1992, c. 713; 1998, c. 754; 2020, c. 873.
VA Code § 43-13.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-13.1. Use of lien waiver form; forgery or signing without authority

Any person who knowingly presents a waiver of lien form to an owner, his agent, contractor, lender, or title company for the purpose of obtaining funds or title insurance and who forges or signs without authority the name of any person listed thereon shall be guilty of a felony and punished as provided in § 18.2-172.1968, c. 568.
VA Code § 43-13.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-13.2. When an affidavit or a signed statement of payment required of owner prior to sale

A person who is both the owner of a one- or two-family residential dwelling unit and either a developer of such property, a contractor in connection with the development or improvement of such property or a contractor or subcontractor furnishing labor or material in connection with the development or improvement of such property shall, at the time of settlement on the sale of such property, provide the purchaser with an affidavit or a signed statement attested to by a witness stating either (i) that all persons performing labor or furnishing materials in connection with the improvements on such property and with whom such owner is in privity of contract have been paid in full or (ii) the name, address and amount payable or claimed to be payable to any person so performing labor or furnishing materials and with whom such owner is in privity of contract. Willful failure to provide such statement or any willful material misrepresentation with respect to such a statement which causes a monetary loss to a financial institution, title company, contractor, subcontractor, supplier, owner, mechanics' lien agent or any other person or institution shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony.1992, cc. 779, 787; 2003, c. 400.
VA Code § 43-13.3 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-13.3. An affidavit or a signed statement of payment required of owner prior to sale or refinance; penalty

Any person who is the owner of a one- or two-family residential dwelling unit not included within the scope of § 43-13.2 shall, at the time of settlement on the sale of such property, provide the purchaser, or lender in the case of a permanent loan or refinance, with an affidavit or a signed statement attested to by a witness stating either (i) that all persons performing labor or furnishing materials in connection with any improvements on such property within 120 days prior to the date of settlement and with whom such owner is in privity of contract have been paid in full, or (ii) the name, address and amount payable or claimed to be payable to any person so performing labor or furnishing materials and with whom such owner is in privity of contract. Any willful material misrepresentation in the affidavit or signed statement attested to by a witness which causes a monetary loss to any financial institution, title company, or purchaser shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.1994, c. 388; 2003, c. 400.
VA Code § 43-14.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-14.1. Service of notices

Any notice authorized or required by this chapter, except the notice required by § 43-11, may be served by any sheriff or constable who shall make return of the time and manner of service; or any such notice may be served by certified or registered mail and a return receipt therefor shall be prima facie evidence of receipt.1968, c. 568; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155.
VA Code § 43-15 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-15. Inaccuracies in memorandum or description not affecting lien

No inaccuracy in the memorandum filed, or in the description of the property to be covered by the lien, shall invalidate the lien, if the property can be reasonably identified by the description given and the memorandum conforms substantially to the requirements of §§ 43-5, 43-8 and 43-10, respectively, and is not wilfully false.Code 1919, § 6431.
VA Code § 43-16 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-16. What owner may do when contractor fails or refuses to complete building, etc.

If the owner is compelled to complete his building, structure, or railroad, or any part thereof undertaken by a general contractor in consequence of the failure or refusal of the general contractor to do so, the amount expended by the owner for such completion shall have priority over all mechanics' liens which have been or may be placed on such building, structure, or railroad by such general contractor, a subcontractor under him, or any person furnishing labor or materials to either of them.Code 1919, § 6432.
VA Code § 43-17 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-17. Limitation on suit to enforce lien

No suit to enforce any lien perfected under §§ 43-4, 43-5 and 43-7 to 43-10 shall be brought after six months from the time when the memorandum of lien was recorded or after sixty days from the time the building, structure or railroad was completed or the work thereon otherwise terminated, whichever time shall last occur; provided, however, that the filing of a petition to enforce any such lien in any suit wherein such petition may be properly filed shall be regarded as the institution of a suit under this section; and, provided further, that nothing herein shall extend the time within which such lien may be perfected.Code 1919, § 6433; 1926, p. 43; 1956, c. 399.
VA Code § 43-17.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-17.1. Hearing on validity of lien

Any party, having an interest in real property against which a lien has been filed, may, upon a showing of good cause, petition the court of equity having jurisdiction wherein the building, structure, other property, or railroad is located to hold a hearing to determine the validity of any perfected lien on the property. After reasonable notice to the lien claimant and any party to whom the benefit of the lien would inure and who has given notice as provided in § 43-18 of the Code of Virginia, the court shall hold a hearing and determine the validity of the lien. If the court finds that the lien is invalid, it shall forthwith order that the memorandum or notice of lien be released from record.1975, c. 380; 2010, c. 352.
VA Code § 43-18 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-18. Lien of general contractor to inure to benefit of subcontractor

The perfected lien of a general contractor on any building or structure shall inure to the benefit of any subcontractor, and of any person performing labor or furnishing materials to a subcontractor who has not perfected a lien on such building or structure, provided such subcontractor, or person performing labor or furnishing materials shall give written notice of his claim against the general contractor, or subcontractor, as the case may be, to the owner or his agent before the amount of such lien is actually paid off or discharged.Code 1919, § 6434.
VA Code § 43-19 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-19. Validity and priority of lien not affected by assignments

Every assignment or transfer by a general contractor, in whole or in part, of his contract with the owner or of any money or consideration coming to him under such contract, or by a subcontractor of his contract with the general contractor, in whole or in part, or of any money or consideration coming to him under his contract with the general contractor, and every writ of fieri facias, attachment or other process against the general contractor or subcontractor to subject or encumber his interest arising under such contract, shall be subject to the liens given by this chapter to laborers, mechanics, and materialmen. No such assignment or transfer shall in any way affect the validity or the priority of satisfaction of liens given by this chapter.Code 1919, § 6435.
VA Code § 43-20 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-20. Extent of lien where owner has less than fee in land

Subject to the provisions of § 43-3, if the person who shall cause a building or structure to be erected or repaired owns less than a fee simple estate in the land, then only his interest therein shall be subject to liens created under this chapter. When the vendee under a contract for the sale of real estate causes a building or structure to be erected or repaired on the land which is the subject of the contract and the owner has actual knowledge of such erection or repairs, the interest of the owner in the land shall be subject to liens created under this chapter; and for the purposes of § 43-21, the interest of such an owner in the land, to the extent of the unpaid purchase price, shall be deemed to be a recorded purchase money deed of trust lien created at the time the contract of sale was fully executed. As used in this section, "a contract for the sale of real estate" shall not include a lease of real estate containing an option to purchase the leased real estate or an option to purchase real estate unless the option is enforceable against the optionee.Code 1919, § 6436; 1924, p. 413; 1968, c. 568; 1980, c. 574.
VA Code § 43-21 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-21. Priorities between mechanics' and other liens

No lien or encumbrance upon the land created before the work was commenced or materials furnished shall operate upon the building or structure erected thereon, or materials furnished for and used in the same, until the lien in favor of the person doing the work or furnishing the materials shall have been satisfied; nor shall any lien or encumbrance upon the land created after the work was commenced or materials furnished operate on the land, or such building or structure, until the lien in favor of the person doing the work or furnishing the materials shall have been satisfied.Unless otherwise provided in the subordination agreement, if the holder of the prior recorded lien of a purchase money deed of trust subordinates to the lien of a construction money deed of trust, such subordination shall be limited to the construction money deed of trust and said prior lien shall not be subordinate to mechanics' and materialmen's liens to the extent of the value of the land by virtue of such agreement.In the enforcement of the liens acquired under the previous sections of this chapter, any lien or encumbrance created on the land before the work was commenced or materials furnished shall be preferred in the distribution of the proceeds of sale only to the extent of the value of the land estimated, exclusive of the buildings or structures, at the time of sale, and the residue of the proceeds of sale shall be applied to the satisfaction of the liens provided for in the previous sections of this chapter. Provided that liens filed for performing labor or furnishing materials for the repair or improvement of any building or structure shall be subject to any encumbrance against such land and building or structure of record prior to the commencement of the improvements or repairs or the furnishing of materials or supplies therefor. Nothing contained in the foregoing proviso shall apply to liens that may be filed for the construction or removal of any building or structure.Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C of § 43-3, a general contractor may, prior to or after providing any labor, services, or materials, contract to subordinate his lien rights to prior recorded and later recorded deeds of trust, provided that such contract is (i) in writing and (ii) signed by any general contractor whose lien rights are subordinated pursuant to such contract.Code 1919, § 6436; 1924, p. 413; 1968, c. 568; 2018, cc. 79, 325.
VA Code § 43-22 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-22. How liens enforced

The liens created and perfected under this chapter may be enforced in a court of equity by a bill filed in the county or city wherein the building, structure, or railroad, or some part thereof is situated, or wherein the owner, or if there be more than one, any of them, resides. The plaintiff shall file with his bill an itemized statement of his account, showing the amount and character of the work done or materials furnished, the prices charged therefor, the payments made, if any, the balance due, and the time from which interest is claimed thereon, the correctness of which account shall be verified by the affidavit of himself, or his agent. When suit is brought for the enforcement of any such lien against the property bound thereby, all parties entitled to such liens upon the property or any portion thereof may file petitions in such suit asking for the enforcement of their respective liens to have the same effect as if an independent suit were brought by each claimant.Code 1919, § 6437; 1920, p. 485.
VA Code § 43-23 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-23. Priority among liens perfected under this chapter

There shall be no priority among the liens created and perfected under this chapter, except that the lien of a subcontractor shall be preferred to that of his general contractor; the lien of persons performing labor or furnishing materials for a subcontractor, shall be preferred to that of such subcontractor; and liens filed by persons performing manual labor shall have priority over materialmen to the extent of the labor performed during the thirty days immediately preceding the date of the performance of the last labor.Code 1919, § 6437; 1920, p. 485.
VA Code § 43-23.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-23.1. Forfeiture of lien

Any person who shall, with intent to mislead, include in his memorandum of lien work not performed upon, or materials not furnished for, the property described in his memorandum shall thereby forfeit any right to a lien under this chapter.1968, c. 568; 1976, c. 253.
VA Code § 43-23.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens|§ 43-23.2. Remedies cumulative

The remedies afforded by this chapter shall be deemed cumulative in nature and not be construed to be in lieu of any other legal or equitable remedies.1968, c. 568.
VA Code § 43-24 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens|Chapter 2 - Liens on Franchises and Property of Transportation, Etc., Companies|§ 43-24. Liens of employees, suppliers, etc.

All conductors, brakemen, engine drivers, firemen, captains, stewards, pilots, clerks, depot or office agents, storekeepers, mechanics, traveling representatives or laborers, and all persons furnishing railroad iron, engines, cars, fuel and all other supplies necessary to the operation of any railway, canal or other transportation company, and all clerks, mechanics, traveling representatives, foremen, and laborers, and superintendents to the extent of not more than $100 per week, who furnish their services or labor to any one or more individuals trading under a real or fictitious name, or names, or to any partnership or other unincorporated body of persons, engaged in mining or manufacturing, or to any mining or manufacturing company, whether such railway, canal or other transportation or mining or manufacturing company be chartered under or by the laws of this Commonwealth, or be chartered elsewhere and be doing business within the limits of this Commonwealth, shall have a prior lien on the franchises, gross earnings and on all the real and personal property of such individual, partnership, unincorporated association or company which is used in operating the same, to the extent of the moneys due them by the individual, partnership, unincorporated association or company for such wages or supplies, which lien shall be superior to, and have priority over, any amount due by such individual, partnership, unincorporated association or company for rents, or royalties.No mortgage, deed of trust, sale, hypothecation or conveyance executed since the first day of May, 1888, shall defeat or take precedence over such lien. The lien secured by this section to parties furnishing supplies, shall be subordinate to that allowed to clerks, mechanics, foremen, superintendents, and laborers for services furnished as aforesaid.If any person entitled to a lien as well under § 43-3 as under this section, shall perfect his lien given by either section, he shall not be entitled to the benefit of the other.No right to or remedy upon a lien which has already accrued to any person shall be extended, abridged or otherwise affected hereby.Code 1919, § 6438; 1922, p. 13; 1932, p. 596; 1938, p. 17; 2010, c. 343.