Chap. 476.—An ACT to amend sections 2477 and 2479 of the code of Virginia,
in relation to the lien of mechanics.

Approved February 28, 1894.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That sec-
tions two thousand four hundred and seventy-seven and two thousand
four hundred and seventy-nine of the code of Virginia be amended
and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 2477. Perfection of lien by sub-contractor; extent of lien.—
Any sub-contractor, in which term is included all contractors and
laborers and mechanics and those furnishing materials, as provided
in section two thousand four hundred and seventy-five of the code
and acts amendatory thereof, other than general contractors, in order
to perfect the lien given him by section twenty-four hundred and
seventy-five, shall comply with the preceding section, and, in addi-
tion, give notice in writing to the owner of the property or his agent
of the amount and character of his claim. But the amount for
which a lien may be perfected under this section shall not exceed
the amount in which the owner is indebted to the general contractor
at the time the notice is given or shall thereafter become indebted to
said general contractor upon his contract with said general contrac-
tor for said structure or building.

§ 2479. Any sub-contractor may give notice in writing to the owner
or his agent, stating the nature and character of his contract and the
probable amount of his claim, and if such sub-contractor shall at
any time after the work done or material furnished by him, and be-
fore the expiration of thirty days from the time such building or
structure is completed or the work thereon otherwise terminated, fur-
nish the owner thereof or his agent and also the general contractor
with a correct account, verified by affidavit, of his claim against the
general contractor for the work done or materials furnished and of the
amount due, the owners shall be personally liable to the claimant for
the amount due to said contractor by said general contractor: pro-
vided the same does not exceed the sum in which the owner is in-
debted to the general contractor at the time the notice is given or
may thereafter become indebted by virtue of his contract with said
general contractor.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.