CHAPTER 512

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
25-46.21:1, relating to the participation of certain tenants in con-
demnation proceedings.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding a section numbered
25-46.21 :1, as follows:

§ 25-46.21:1. Any tenant for a term expiring more than twelve
months after the filing of the petition referred to in § 25-46.7 may par-
ticipate in the proceedings described in § 25-46.21 to the same extent
as his landlord or the owner, if, not less than ten days prior to the date
for the trial of the issue of just compensation, such tenant shall file his
petition for intervention, in the manner provided in § 25-46.16, including
a verified copy of the lease under which he is in possession, and an af-
fidavit by the tenant or his duly authorized agent or attorney, stating

(1) that he claims an interest in the award; and

(2) that he desires to offer admissible evidence concerning the value
of the property being taken or damaged.

For the purposes of this section, the unexpired portion of the term
of a tenant’s lease shall include any renewals or extensions for which the
tenant has an enforceable written option. The term “tenant” shall include
the assignee of the original tenant, as well as any sublessee of the entire
demised premises of the owner for the full unexpired term of the sublessor.

Nothing in this section shall be construed, however, as authorizing
such tenant to offer any evidence in the proceedings described in § 25-
46.21 concerning the value of his leasehold interest in the property involved
therein or as authorizing the commissioners to make any such determina-
tion in formulating their report.