No matter which part of the United States you live in, you'll find that home contractors and subcontractors whose bills haven't been paid have the right to publicly record what's called a "mechanic's lien" against the homeowner's property title. The laws, procedures, and other details vary from state to state, however. Find out more about your state's mechanic's lien laws here.
Perhaps you have heard of a "mechanic's lien" on a construction project. What is this document and how does it affect your rights?
How mechanics' liens help contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers recover money for work, labor, materials, or services related to repairing or improving a piece of real property.
As a homeowner, you have a few options for how to respond to a mechanic’s lien.
You say the contractor doesn't deserve payment, but now the contractor has put a lien on your house: What's next?
Dealing with situations where a home contractor, subcontractor, or supplier goes too far in filing a lien against your home.
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At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.