What Is A Mechanics Lien?
Under the California Mechanics Lien Law, any contractor, subcontractor, laborer, supplier or other person or entity who helps to improve your property but is not paid for his or her work or supplies, has a right to place a lien on [a claim against] your home, land, or property where the work was performed, and to sue you in court to obtain payment. This means that after a court hearing, your home, land, and property could be sold by a court officer and the proceeds of the sale used to satisfy what you owe. This can happen even if you have paid your contractor in full if the contractors’ subcontractors, laborers, or suppliers remain unpaid. To preserve their rights to file a claim or lien against your property, certain claimants such as subcontractors or material suppliers are each required to provide you with a document called a “Preliminary Notice.” Contractors and laborers who contract with owners directly do not have to provide such notice as you are aware of their existence as an owner. A Preliminary Notice is not a lien against your property. Its purpose is to notify you of persons or entities that may have a right to file a lien against your property if they are not paid. In order to perfect their lien rights, a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or laborer must file a mechanics’ lien with the county recorder which then becomes a recorded lien against your property. Generally, the maximum time allowed for filing a mechanics’ lien against your property is 90 days after substantial completion of your project.