§ 29-17-903 — Payments into court at commencement of condemnation proceedings - Notice - Possession of property

(a) When a governmental entity or other person or entity with the power of eminent domain deems it necessary to condemn any property or property rights pursuant to this chapter or chapter 16 of this title, it shall deposit the amount determined by the required appraisal with the clerk of the circuit court having jurisdiction in the county in which the property or property rights, or a portion of the property or property rights, is located, and shall file a petition in the court asking that the same be condemned and decreed to the condemner. (b) The payment into court shall in no way limit or fix the amount to be allowed under subsequent proceedings in the case, and any further or additional sum that may be finally awarded in any subsequent proceedings shall bear interest from the date of the taking of possession of the property or property rights condemned by the condemner. (c) Notice of the filing of such petition shall be given the owner of the property or property rights at least thirty (30) days prior to the taking of any additional steps in the case. If the owner is a nonresident of the state or unknown, notice shall be given by publication as provided by law in similar cases in chancery. (d) After the expiration of thirty (30) days from the date of the giving of such notice if the right to take is not questioned, the condemner shall have the right to take possession of the property or property rights sought to be condemned, and if necessary to place such condemner in possession thereof, the court shall issue a writ of possession to the sheriff of the county to put the condemner in possession.

Legislative History

Acts 1959, ch. 216, § 3; T.C.A., § 23-1530; T.C.A. § 29-17-803; Acts 2006, ch. 863, §§ 1, 17, 22, 23.