Chap. 451.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 2476 of the code of Virginia
in relation to perfection of mechanics’ lien record, and notice of lien, as amended
by an act approved January 16, 1806, and as further amended by an act ap-
proved March 5, 1896, and to amend and re-enact section 2477 of the code
of Virginia in relation to the perfection of lien by sub-contractors and extent. of
liens, as amended by an act approved February 28, 1894, and as further amended
by an act approved March 5, 1896.

Approved February 23, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section two
thousand four hundred and seventy-six of the code of Virginia in rela-
tion to the perfection of mechanics’ lien, mechanics’ lien record and
notice of lien, as amended by an act approved January sixteenth, eighteen
hundred and ninety-six, and as further amended by an act approved
March fifth, eighteen hundred and ninety-six, and that section two
thousand four hundred and seventy-seven of the code of Virginia in
relation to the perfection of lien by sub-contractor and extent of lien, as
amended by an act approved February twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred
and ninety-four, and as further amended by an act approved March
fifth, eighteen hundred and ninety-six, be amended and re-enacted so as
to read as follows:

§ 2476. Perfection of lien by general contractor; mechanics’ lien re-
cord; notice of lien.—A general contractor, in order to perfect the lien
given by the preceding section, shall at any time after the work is done
and the materials furnished by him and before the expiration of sixty
days from the time such building, structure or railroad is completed, or
the work thereon otherwise terminated, file in the clerk’s office in the
county or corporation in which the building, structure or railroad, or any
part thereof is, or in the clerk’s oflice of the chancery court of the city
of Richmond, if the said building, structure or railroad, or any part
thereof, is within the corporation limits of said city, an account showing
the amount and character of the work done or materials furnished, the
prices charged therefor, the payments made, if any, and the balance
due, verified by the oath of the claimaint or his agent, with a statement
attached, declaring his intention to claim the benefit of said lien and
giving a brief description of the property on which he claims the lien.
It shall be the duty of the clerk in whose office such account or state-
ment shall be filed, as hereinbefore provided, to record the same in a
book to be kept for that purpose, called mechanics’ lien record, and to
index the same in the name as well of the claimant of the lien as of the
owner of the property, and from the time of such filing all persons shall
be deemed to have notice thereof.
$2477. Perfection of lien by sub-contractor; extent of Jien.—Anvy
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 hen given him by section two thousand four hundred and seventy-
five shall comply with the preceding section, and in addition, 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 1s 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 contractor for said structure or
building or railroad. Awd when the labor shall have been performed or
work doneor material furnished for one rho is himself a sub-contractor, then the
person clarming the lien shall also give a like notice to the general contractor:
provided, that the amount for which a lien may be perfected hy such person
shall not exceed the amount for which said sub-contractor could himself clacin
alien under this section.

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