English
Spanish
How to file a lien
Step by Step Guide
to filing a mechanics lien on a property in Texas.
HOW TO FILE A LIEN ON PROPERTY IN TEXAS ONLINE
Filing a mechanic’s lien in Texas
has never been easier.
Complicated Texas lien laws used to be difficult, expensive, and stressful. In fact, contractors had to hire lawyers to create and file the lien documents, an expensive and time-consuming process.
NOT ANYMORE! Texas Easy lien has created a fast, simple, and AFFORDABLE way to file a construction lien on a property with a few easy steps.
All online—no lawyers needed!
To File A Lien Claim, You Will Need:
1
Project owner’s name (or company name) and last known mailing address.
2
Project name and address, including the county name.
3
The amounts owed for each month you performed the work and were not paid.
4
The description of the
work itself (this can be general).
5
The original contractor’s (general contractor) name and last known mailing address (if you are a subcontractor or sub-subcontractor)
6
Sub-subcontractors will also need the name and mailing address of every subcontractor above them.
PRE-LIEN NOTICES
Do You Need a Pre-lien Notice
When Filing a Lien in Texas?
Depending on your role on a project, you may be required to send a pre-lien notice letter before you file a mechanic’s lien affidavit. If you have a direct contract with the property owner, then you are not required to send a pre-lien notice before you a mechanic’s lien affidavit.
Subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, and materials suppliers without a direct contract with the property owner must send a pre-lien notice letter before filing a mechanic’s lien affidavit. The pre-lien notice letter can be sent on the same day the mechanic’s lien affidavit is filed as long as it meets the pre-lien notice deadlines.
Pre-lien Notice -
Create. Sign. Mail.
Create a Pre-lien Notice on texaseasylien.com. Next, sign and mail it to the property owner AND general contractor. If the debt is not paid after sending the pre-lien notice letter, the next step is to file a mechanic’s lien affidavit before the deadline expires. But don’t worry, we will also give you the mechanic’s lien deadline with your pre-lien notice instructions.
Start Pre-lien Notice
Lien Affidavit -
Create. Notarize. File. Mail.
If the pre-lien notice letter did not result in payment of the debt owed, it is time to file a mechanic’s lien. (See deadlines on this schedule) You can create a Mechanic’s Lien Affidavit on texaseasylien.com. It will need to be notarized and filed with the county records office where the property is located. Texas Easy Lien can do all of this electronically for you – quickly and affordably!
Start Mechanic's Lien
Pre-lien Notice -
Create. Sign. Mail.
Create a Pre-lien Notice on texaseasylien.com. Next, sign and mail it to the property owner AND general contractor.
If the debt is not paid after sending the pre-lien notice letter, the next step is to file a mechanic’s lien affidavit before the deadline expires. But don’t worry, we will also give you the mechanic’s lien deadline with your pre-lien notice instructions.
Start Pre-lien Notice
Lien Affidavit -
Create. Notarize. File. Mail.
If the pre-lien notice letter did not result in payment of the debt owed, it is time to file a mechanic’s lien.
(See deadlines on this schedule) You can create a Mechanic’s Lien Affidavit on texaseasylien.com. It will need to be notarized and filed with the county records office where the property is located. Texas Easy Lien can do all of this electronically for you – quickly and affordably!
Start Mechanic's Lien
We’ve made filing a mechanic's lien affidavit on a property in Texas so simple – and so fast!
No Lawyers. No in-person filing needed. 100% Online.
See how easy and affordable the lien filing process is with www.texaseasylien.com and start collecting the money you are owed!
FAQ
Have more questions about filing a Mechanic's Lien on a property in Texas?
We’ve got the answers!
how-to-file-a-lien
A “Commercial Project (Private)” is any construction project that is not a residential project such as an office building, hospital, church, or store. This definition may include the construction of a tract home or multi family or condominium buildings.
• Office Building
• Apartment Complex
• Duplex
• Fourplex
• Store
• Car Dealership
• Church
• Spec Home
• Subdivision Construction
• Coffee Shop
• Medical Complex/Hospital
Other examples of commercial projects include: tract or pre-designed (spec) homes, apartments, condominiums that have not yet been purchased, dormitories, hotels, nunnery, nursing homes, assisted living, and other living space which is not actually owned by the person who is going to occupy it.
A Mechanic’s Lien Affidavit is a document that asserts a lien against property for your work when you have not been paid. It is often the best legal tool that contractors, subcontractors and suppliers have to protect themselves.
Depending on where you are located, a Mechanic’s Lien Affidavit can also be referred as “Project Lien”, “Construction Lien” and even “Contractor Lien”.
No. Only subcontractors and suppliers who do not have a direct contract with the project owner are required to send Pre-lien Notice Letters.
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.
Have a look at
Example of Lien Documents
At Texas Easy Lien, we provide easy access to professional construction lien services for contractors, subcontractors, and materials suppliers across Texas. Our 100% online service was created by local lawyers and provides all the official documents you need in one place.
When you prepare lien documents with Texas Easy Lien, you have a choice – you can select to electronically notarize and file your documents through us – or – we will give you an electronic copy to print, as well as simple instructions for in-person filing.
Either way, your lien documents take minutes to prepare and file – no lawyer needed!
Here are samples of the documents we provide.
Pre-lien Notice Letter
Subcontractors are required to file a pre-lien notice either before or when they file a mechanic’s lien.
Lien Affidavit
A mechanic’s lien is filed in the county property records to give notice to the public that you have not been paid and you are claiming a lien.
Lien Release
This is the document that releases and dismisses a lien that was previously filed with the County Property Records.
Notice of Bond Claim
This is the document that is submitted to a bonding company (the insurance carrier) which gives them notice that you have not been paid and you are a person or entity making a claim against the bond.
