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What are the deadlines to send a Pre-lien Notice Letter in Texas?

The dates and deadlines related for lien claims are based off the month and year in which the work was actually performed. The invoice date and company accounting methods are irrelevant in these cases.
Additionally, to qualify to file a lien claim on a property for a commercial project, the subcontractor or supplier, is required to send the invoice or request payment by the 15th day of the second month after the month the work was performed.
A subcontractor who has a direct contract with the General Contractor is called a Tier 1 Subcontractor. The chart below shows the deadline to send Invoices, Pre-lien Notice Letter and Lien Affidavit for private commercial projects for Tier 1 Subcontractors:

FOR CLAIMS RESULTING FROM A CONTRACT SIGNED BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST, 2021
IF THE 15th OF THE MONTH FALLS ON A WEEKEND OR A HOLIDAY, THE LAST DAY TO FILE A VALID LIEN WILL BE THE EARLIEST BUSINESS DAY.

FOR CLAIMS RESULTING FROM A CONTRACT SIGNED AFTER JANUARY 1ST, 2022
IF THE 15th OF THE MONTH FALLS ON A WEEKEND OR A HOLIDAY, THE LAST DAY TO FILE A VALID LIEN WILL EXTEND TO THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AFTER THAT WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY.

IMPORTANT, IF THE 15th OF THE MONTH FALLS ON A WEEKEND OR A HOLIDAY, THE LAST DAY TO FILE A LIEN WILL ALWAYS MOVE TO THE EARLIEST BUSINESS DAY.-->
What is a Pre-lien Notice Letter?

Also known as Pre-Lien Notice, Second Month Notice Letter, Third Month Notice Letter or Notice Letter, a Pre-lien Notice Letter is a notice that Contractors, Subcontractor and Sub-subcontractors and Suppliers are required to send to the construction project owner and general contractor to establish the right to file a lien in the event of non-payment.The purpose of these notices are to inform the owner that a subcontractor has performed work or supplied materials that have not been paid. By giving notice, the project owner is allowed to retain payment from the general contractor.These notices are bound by specific deadlines depending on the type of construction project and type of contractor. However, it is recommended that subcontractors send notice as soon as the amount owed is due so the project owner can withhold the debt amount prior to releasing the payment to the general contractor.

Should a Pre-lien Notice Letter be notarized and filed with the Property Records?

No. The notices do not need to be notarized and should only be mailed to the Project Owner and the General Contractor through the U.S. Postal Service. However, they must be sent Via Return Receipt Requested (RRR) and the sender should retain the receipt as proof.Texas Easy Lien also recommends to all sub-subcontractors (2nd Tier contractors) to send a copy of these notices to all subcontractors above involved.

Can a Pre-lien Notice and a Lien Affidavit be sent together?

Yes. You do not have to wait any number of days to file a lien affidavit after you have sent your required pre-lien notices. Many notices and liens are mailed and filed the same day. If you have concerns you will not get paid until you enforce a lien on the property you can always execute both documents at the same time.

Should I include my unpaid invoices with my Prelien Notice?

You are not required to send your unpaid invoices with your notice but you must retain them as you may need them in the future.

What information do I need to send a Pre-lien Notice Letter?

Project Information: Owner, name of project, common address (or legal property description), county where the project is located.• Subcontractors: Name (or company name) and mailing address of the General (Prime) Contractor.• Sub-subcontractors: It is not required but preferred to have the name and mailing address of all Subcontractors involved in the contract chain.• Work: Invoice dates, description of the unpaid work performed and the amount owed per each individual month.

Do I have to send a Pre-lien Notice Letter for every month I perform work on a project?

It is recommended to send notice for every month you perform work in the event of non-payment. Since the deadlines in Texas laws are strict and relatively narrow. It is very important for Subcontractors and Sub-subcontractors (1st and 2nd Tier contractors) to send notice of outstanding invoices for each month as soon as possible to protect their right to file a lien claim.It is a low cost letter that could prevent expensive litigation costs in the future.

Is the project owner the same as the property owner?

No, they are not necessarily the same. The project owner is who hired the general contractor and/or subcontractors to perform labor or services to a construction or repair project and whose name is in the contract. This person or entity could be only leasing the property you are working on and not really own it.

What if my contract is NOT directly with the owner of the property?

The project owner is who hired the general contractor and/or subcontractors to perform labor or services to a construction or repair project. If this person or company does not own the property but is only leasing or renting it, this is still the person you must list as the project owner. However, the real owner of the property should also receive copies of all documents since the lien will be attached to this person’s property.

Can I file a lien if my contract is with who is leasing or renting the property?

The project owner is who hired the general contractor and/or subcontractors to perform labor or services to a construction or repair project. If this person or company does not own the property but is only leasing or renting it, this is still the person you must list as the project owner. However, the real owner of the property should also receive copies of all documents since the lien will be attached to this person’s property.