Opinion ID: 1813384
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Stamper's lien.

Text: The trial court established a lien against the real estate, buildings, and improvements, described in the pleadings, for the amount of the additional judgment in favor of Stamper against Chapman. It is not disputed that the land on which the tower was erected is owned by a person or persons, who are not parties to this suit and who leased the land to Chapman. Chapman asserts that the court erred in awarding the lien because the lessor is not a party to the suit. Stamper says that Chapman, . . . being the lessee for a period of twenty-five years from 1962, was and is for all practical purposes the owner of the property. We do not agree with Stamper's argument. Title 33, §§ 39, 40, Code 1940, (§§ 4756, 4757 of Code 1907), provide for a mechanics' lien on leased land. This court has said: . . . . When the lien is sought to be established on the building or the building and leasehold interest, where the relation of lessor and lessee exists, under section 4756, the lessor is a necessary party. If the lien is established under section 4756 of the Code of 1907, then section 4757 permits him to pay off and discharge the lien before a sale of the property. (Citations Omitted) Taylor v. McGill, 205 Ala. 458, 460, 88 So. 564, 565. Because the lessor is not a party to the instant suit, the lien established by the trial court is due to be discharged.