What is a Mechanic’s Lien?

A mechanics’ lien is a type of legal claim against a property by someone you did not hire, but rather employed by the contractor you hired to do work on a property, that they failed to pay.

This could include:

Subcontractors

Laborers

Material suppliers

Various project specialists

Even if you weren’t directly involved in hiring these additional workers, they may still have the legal right to file a lien against your property if they are not paid by the contractor.

Once a mechanics’ lien is filed, it attaches to the property itself, meaning the issue follows the property, not the employer. In other words, you could be on the hook, rather than the general contractor. Yikes!

A mechanics’ lien can disrupt the sale of a property, complicate refinancing, or interfere with your title for months on end. Add on the stress and financial hardship of a lien, and you’re in a real bind.