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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>369516</law_id><section_number>55.1-2016</section_number><catch_line>Liens or encumbrances</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="120" identifier="55.1">Property and Conveyances</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="4" identifier="IV">Common Interest Communities</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="3" identifier="20">Horizontal Property Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="3" identifier="3">Management of Horizontal Property Regimes</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Subsequent to establishment of a horizontal <span class="dictionary">property</span> regime as provided in this chapter, and while the <span class="dictionary">property</span> remains subject to this chapter, no <span class="dictionary">lien</span> shall arise or be effective against the <span class="dictionary">property</span> as a whole or against the common elements. During such period, <span class="dictionary">liens</span> or encumbrances shall arise or be created and enforced only against each <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> and the percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appurtenant to such <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> in the same manner and under the same conditions in every respect as <span class="dictionary">liens</span> or encumbrances may arise or be created upon or against any other separate parcel of real <span class="dictionary">property</span> subject to individual ownership, provided that no labor performed or <span class="dictionary">materials</span> furnished with the consent or at the request of an <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> owner or such owner&#x2019;s agent, contractor, or subcontractor shall be the basis for the filing of a mechanic&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">lien</span> against the <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> or any other <span class="dictionary">property</span> of any other <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> owner not expressly consenting to or requesting the same, except that such express consent shall be deemed to be given by the owner of any <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> in the case of emergency repairs to such <span class="dictionary">apartment</span>. Labor performed or <span class="dictionary">materials</span> furnished for the common elements and facilities, if duly authorized by the <span class="dictionary">council of co-owners</span>, the manager, or the board of directors in accordance with this chapter, the <span class="dictionary">master deed</span>, or the bylaws, shall be deemed to be performed or furnished with the express consent of each <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> owner and shall be the basis for the filing of a mechanic&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">lien</span> against each of the <span class="dictionary">apartments</span> and shall be subject to the provisions of subsection B. Notice of such <span class="dictionary">lien</span> may be served on the manager or the board of directors of the <span class="dictionary">council of co-owners</span>. <a id="paragraph-1378343" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2016/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If a <span class="dictionary">lien</span> is filed against two or more <span class="dictionary">apartments</span> and their respective percentage interest in the common elements, the <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> owners of the separate <span class="dictionary">apartments</span> may remove their <span class="dictionary">apartments</span> and their percentage interests in the common elements appurtenant to such <span class="dictionary">apartments</span> from the <span class="dictionary">lien</span> by payment of the fractional or proportional amounts attributable to each of the <span class="dictionary">apartments</span> affected, or they may file a written undertaking with <span class="dictionary">surety</span> approved by the <span class="dictionary">court</span>. Such individual payment, or amount of <span class="dictionary">bond</span>, shall be computed by reference to the percentage established pursuant to the bylaws of the horizontal <span class="dictionary">property</span> regime. After such partial payment, filing of <span class="dictionary">bond</span>, partial discharge, or release, or other satisfaction, the <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> and its percentage interest in the common elements shall be free and clear of such <span class="dictionary">lien</span>. Such partial payment, indemnity, satisfaction, or discharge shall not prevent the lienor from proceeding to enforce its rights against any <span class="dictionary">apartment</span> and its percentage interest in the common elements not so paid, indemnified, satisfied, or discharged. <a id="paragraph-1378344" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2016/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1966, c. 683, &#xA7; 55-79.35; 2019, c. 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
