Virginia § 15.2-1916 - Right to pay compensation into court and take possession and operate

§ 15.2-1916. Right to pay compensation into court and take possession and operate

A. Notwithstanding any exceptions that may be filed to the report of the body determining just compensation or the pendency of proceedings on the exceptions, or any appeal or writ of error that may be contemplated or may be pending, or the pendency of any other matters in such proceedings, any such city or county shall have the right at any time pending such proceedings, after the filing of the report of the body determining just compensation, to pay into court the amount of the award fixed by the report and take possession of and operate the property sought to be condemned and embraced in such report, and to enlarge the works taken and construct additional works on any property taken and to make any needed repairs to or replacements, or substitutions with respect to the works or any part thereof. No court or judge shall enter any order or decree restraining, prohibiting or enjoining any such city or county from taking such possession of any such waterworks or other property embraced in the report of the body determining just compensation, or from operating same or making replacements, repairs, betterments or additions thereto.

B. If such money is paid and possession taken within 90 days of the time of the filing of the report of the body determining just compensation, no interest on the amount of the award, or any part thereof, shall be allowable to the defendant or defendants, and if such money is paid and possession taken after the lapse of more than 90 days from the date of the filing of the report of the body determining just compensation, the court, upon hearing after due notice, shall adjudicate all claims made by the defendant or defendants for damages claimed to have been sustained and for interest on the value of the property taken, and for additions thereto or replacements during or for the time elapsed since the expiration of the 90 days. If the property taken, or any part thereof, be income producing the court shall take into consideration any income accruing to the property owner during such period, and shall also take into consideration depreciation of an operating water system as well as the cost of additions, betterments, and replacements made by the city or county. If the court finds that the property owner is entitled to receive any additional payment by reason of such matters, it shall render judgment against the city or county for the amount thereof.

1938, p. 50; Michie Code 1942, § 4387a; Code 1950, § 25-55; 2003, c. 940.