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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>363684</law_id><section_number>43-33</section_number><catch_line>Lien of mechanic for repairs</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</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="95" identifier="43">Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="4" 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.</p><p>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>.</p><p>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.</p><p>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>
