{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/43-20.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/43-20.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/43-20.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/43-20.html"}],"law_id":66681,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66681,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-20","catch_line":"Extent of lien where owner has less than fee in land","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 6436; 1924, p. 413; 1968, c. 568; 1980, c. 574.","full_text":"Subject to the provisions of \u00a7 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 \u00a7 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.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":241866,"text":"Subject to the provisions of \u00a7 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 \u00a7 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.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14160,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14159,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:04","permalink":{"id":221267,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14160,"identifier":"1","token":"43\/1","url":"\/43\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14159,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens","identifier":"43","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:04","permalink":{"id":221265,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14159,"identifier":"43","token":"43","url":"\/43\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81902,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/43-1\/","token":"43\/1\/43-1","metadata":false},{"id":72410,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-10","catch_line":"Sufficiency of memorandum, affidavit and notice required by \u00a7 43-9","url":"\/43-10\/","token":"43\/1\/43-10","metadata":false},{"id":55337,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-11","catch_line":"How owner or general contractor made personally liable to subcontractor, laborer or materialman","url":"\/43-11\/","token":"43\/1\/43-11","metadata":false},{"id":79868,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-12","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/43-12\/","token":"43\/1\/43-12","metadata":false},{"id":64540,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-13","catch_line":"Funds paid to general contractor or subcontractor must be used to pay persons performing labor or furnishing material","url":"\/43-13\/","token":"43\/1\/43-13","metadata":false},{"id":69845,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-13.1","catch_line":"Use of lien waiver form; forgery or signing without authority","url":"\/43-13.1\/","token":"43\/1\/43-13.1","metadata":false},{"id":86055,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-13.2","catch_line":"When an affidavit or a signed statement of payment required of owner prior to sale","url":"\/43-13.2\/","token":"43\/1\/43-13.2","metadata":false},{"id":80570,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-13.3","catch_line":"An affidavit or a signed statement of payment required of owner prior to sale or refinance; penalty","url":"\/43-13.3\/","token":"43\/1\/43-13.3","metadata":false},{"id":79181,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-14","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/43-14\/","token":"43\/1\/43-14","metadata":false},{"id":71794,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-14.1","catch_line":"Service of notices","url":"\/43-14.1\/","token":"43\/1\/43-14.1","metadata":false},{"id":66035,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-15","catch_line":"Inaccuracies in memorandum or description not affecting lien","url":"\/43-15\/","token":"43\/1\/43-15","metadata":false},{"id":55414,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-16","catch_line":"What owner may do when contractor fails or refuses to complete building, etc","url":"\/43-16\/","token":"43\/1\/43-16","metadata":false},{"id":68827,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-17","catch_line":"Limitation on suit to enforce lien","url":"\/43-17\/","token":"43\/1\/43-17","metadata":false},{"id":71472,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-17.1","catch_line":"Hearing on validity of lien","url":"\/43-17.1\/","token":"43\/1\/43-17.1","metadata":false},{"id":57819,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-18","catch_line":"Lien of general contractor to inure to benefit of subcontractor","url":"\/43-18\/","token":"43\/1\/43-18","metadata":false},{"id":58965,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-19","catch_line":"Validity and priority of lien not affected by assignments","url":"\/43-19\/","token":"43\/1\/43-19","metadata":false},{"id":61935,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-2","catch_line":"Structures, materials, etc., deemed permanently annexed to freehold","url":"\/43-2\/","token":"43\/1\/43-2","metadata":false},{"id":66681,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-20","catch_line":"Extent of lien where owner has less than fee in land","url":"\/43-20\/","token":"43\/1\/43-20","metadata":false},{"id":66928,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-21","catch_line":"Priorities between mechanics' and other liens","url":"\/43-21\/","token":"43\/1\/43-21","metadata":false},{"id":68364,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-22","catch_line":"How liens enforced","url":"\/43-22\/","token":"43\/1\/43-22","metadata":false},{"id":72370,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-23","catch_line":"Priority among liens perfected under this chapter","url":"\/43-23\/","token":"43\/1\/43-23","metadata":false},{"id":67717,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-23.1","catch_line":"Forfeiture of lien","url":"\/43-23.1\/","token":"43\/1\/43-23.1","metadata":false},{"id":55321,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-23.2","catch_line":"Remedies cumulative","url":"\/43-23.2\/","token":"43\/1\/43-23.2","metadata":false},{"id":75637,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-3","catch_line":"Lien for work done and materials furnished; waiver of right to file or enforce lien","url":"\/43-3\/","token":"43\/1\/43-3","metadata":false},{"id":75853,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-4","catch_line":"Perfection of lien by general contractor; recordation and notice","url":"\/43-4\/","token":"43\/1\/43-4","metadata":false},{"id":73387,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-4.01","catch_line":"Posting of building permit; identification of mechanics' lien agent in building permit; notice to mechanics' lien agent; effect of notice","url":"\/43-4.01\/","token":"43\/1\/43-4.01","metadata":false},{"id":66257,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-4.1","catch_line":"Liens to be recorded in deed books and indexed in general index of deeds","url":"\/43-4.1\/","token":"43\/1\/43-4.1","metadata":false},{"id":83985,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-5","catch_line":"Sufficiency of memorandum and affidavit required by \u00a7 43-4","url":"\/43-5\/","token":"43\/1\/43-5","metadata":false},{"id":61637,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-6","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/43-6\/","token":"43\/1\/43-6","metadata":false},{"id":79054,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-7","catch_line":"Perfection of lien by subcontractor; extent of lien; affirmative defense; provisions relating to time-share estates","url":"\/43-7\/","token":"43\/1\/43-7","metadata":false},{"id":81789,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-8","catch_line":"Sufficiency of memorandum, affidavit and notice required by \u00a7 43-7","url":"\/43-8\/","token":"43\/1\/43-8","metadata":false},{"id":66394,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-9","catch_line":"Perfection of lien by person performing labor or furnishing materials for a subcontractor; extent of lien","url":"\/43-9\/","token":"43\/1\/43-9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":61935,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-2","catch_line":"Structures, materials, etc., deemed permanently annexed to freehold","url":"\/43-2\/","token":"43\/1\/43-2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66928,"structure_id":14160,"section_number":"43-21","catch_line":"Priorities between mechanics' and other liens","url":"\/43-21\/","token":"43\/1\/43-21","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/43-20\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1968, chapter 568; in 1980, chapter 574.<\/p>","references":[{"id":75637,"section_number":"43-3","catch_line":"Lien for work done and materials furnished; waiver of right to file or enforce lien","order_by":null,"url":"\/43-3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":66928,"section_number":"43-21","catch_line":"Priorities between mechanics' and other liens","order_by":null,"url":"\/43-21\/"},{"id":75637,"section_number":"43-3","catch_line":"Lien for work done and materials furnished; waiver of right to file or enforce lien","order_by":null,"url":"\/43-3\/"}],"permalink":{"id":221337,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66681,"identifier":"43-20","token":"43\/1\/43-20","url":"\/43-20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/43-20\/","token":"43\/1\/43-20","dublin_core":{"Title":"Extent of lien where owner has less than fee in land","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 43-20","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Subject to the provisions of \u00a7 43-3<\/a>, 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<\/span> created under this chapter. When the vendee under a contract<\/span> 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<\/span> and the owner has actual knowledge of such erection or repairs, the interest of the owner in the land shall be subject to liens<\/span> created under this chapter; and for the purposes of \u00a7 43-21<\/a>, 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<\/span> created at the time the contract<\/span> of sale was fully executed. As used in this section, “a contract<\/span> 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.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXTENT OF LIEN WHERE OWNER HAS LESS THAN FEE IN LAND (\u00a7 43-20)\n\nSubject to the provisions of \u00a7 43-3, if the person who shall cause a building\nor structure to be erected or repaired owns less than a fee simple estate in the\nland, then only his interest therein shall be subject to liens created under\nthis chapter. When the vendee under a contract for the sale of real estate\ncauses a building or structure to be erected or repaired on the land which is\nthe subject of the contract and the owner has actual knowledge of such erection\nor repairs, the interest of the owner in the land shall be subject to liens\ncreated under this chapter; and for the purposes of \u00a7 43-21, the interest of\nsuch an owner in the land, to the extent of the unpaid purchase price, shall be\ndeemed to be a recorded purchase money deed of trust lien created at the time\nthe contract of sale was fully executed. As used in this section, “a\ncontract for the sale of real estate” shall not include a lease of real\nestate containing an option to purchase the leased real estate or an option to\npurchase real estate unless the option is enforceable against the optionee.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 6436; 1924, p. 413; 1968, c. 568; 1980, c. 574.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}