<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55515</law_id><section_number>43-33</section_number><catch_line>Lien of mechanic for repairs</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-189</reference><reference>29.1-733.24</reference><reference>43-32</reference><reference>43-34</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="43">Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="4">Liens of Innkeepers, Livery Stable, Garage and Marina Keepers, Mechanics and Bailees</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Every mechanic who shall alter or repair any article of personal property at the request of the owner of such property shall have a <span class="dictionary">lien</span> thereon for his just and reasonable charges therefor and may retain <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of such property until such charges are paid.
		And every mechanic who shall make necessary alterations or repairs on any article of personal property which from its character requires the making of ordinary repairs thereto as a reasonable incident to its reasonable and customary use, at the request of any person legally in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> thereof under a reservation of title <span class="dictionary">contract</span>, chattel mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument securing money, the person so in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> having authority to use such property, shall have a <span class="dictionary">lien</span> thereon for his just and reasonable charges therefor to the extent of $1,000. In addition, such mechanic shall be entitled to a <span class="dictionary">lien</span> against the proceeds, if any, remaining after the satisfaction of all prior security interests or <span class="dictionary">liens</span> and may retain <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of such property until such charges are paid. In any action to enforce the <span class="dictionary">lien</span> hereby given all persons having an interest in the property sought to be subjected shall be made parties <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>.
		If the owner of the property held by the mechanic shall desire to obtain <span class="dictionary">possession</span> thereof, he shall make the mechanic <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> in proceeding in the county or municipal <span class="dictionary">court</span> to recover the property.
		The owner may give a <span class="dictionary">bond</span> payable to the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, in a <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> of the amount equal to the <span class="dictionary">lien</span> claimed by the mechanic and <span class="dictionary">court</span> costs, with security to be approved by the clerk, and conditioned for the performance of the final <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> on the <span class="dictionary">trial</span> of the proceeding, and with a further condition to the effect that, if upon the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> be that the <span class="dictionary">lien</span> of the mechanic on such property, or any part thereof, be enforced, <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> may thereupon be entered against the obligors on such <span class="dictionary">bond</span> for the amount due the mechanic and <span class="dictionary">court</span> costs, if assessed against the owner, without further or other proceedings against them thereon. Upon giving of the <span class="dictionary">bond</span>, the property shall be delivered to the owner.</p></section></text><history>Code 1919, &#xA7; 6443; 1924, p. 638; 1956, c. 558; 1966, c. 458; 1968, c. 395; 1973, c. 492; 1974, c. 166; 1980, c. 598; 1984, c. 396; 1999, c. 533; 2005, c. 280; 2016, c. 397.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
