The law allows contractors to place a lien on real property when they’re not paid for their work. So when a roofer, who had contracted with a condominium association to repair roofs on several common-managed buildings, wasn’t paid, he filed a lien against the association rather than the individual unit owners in each of the …

Those involved in the construction industry know that there are specific requirements for the filing of a mechanic’s lien.  One involves time; another the amount.  Both were addressed in a recent case pitting a builder against the purchaser of one of his homes.  The buyer signed a contract for $246,700; however, when the base price …

Contractors have long accepted the idea that they have little chance of enforcing a lien filed against a landlord for contracted tenant improvements. Landlords have had the upper hand for years on this issue. As long as they recorded a copy or an abbreviated version of the applicable lease, or as most landlords do, filed a statement that its leases prohibit any encumbrance or lien for improvements initiated by their tenants, landlords have been able to limit their liability for tenant improvement liens.

An aircraft maintenance company went about fixing a Boeing 767 brought in for service. After completing its work, the shop returned the jet to its owners along with a bill for the repairs. When, in a few months, the shop didn’t get paid, it placed a repairman’s lien on the plane – recording notice of the monies it was owed. Suit was eventually filed to foreclose the lien; an open and shut case thought the repair shop. But in what could become a game changer for all those whose business practice has been to release items before getting paid, the court denied the lien enforcement action.

A contractor agreed to build a two story garage, but early in the project realized he had made a mistake. He had constructed the foundation footer shorter than the length needed. He advised the owners and proposed a resolution.

A savvy contractor or subcontractor is generally familiar with the steps necessary to properly obtain and record a construction lien.