Can a neighbor put a lien on my house?
In this article, you’ll learn about:
Let’s dig in.
No, a neighbor cannot put a lien on your house.
Most neighbors want to put a lien on your house if:
A neighbor cannot put a lien on your house for any of these reasons.
A neighbor can only put a lien on your house to gain back the money owed to them.
Let’s talk about the only way a neighbor can put a lien on your house.
The only way a neighbor can put a lien on your house is with a judgment lien.
A judgment lien can only get filed on your property if you lose a lawsuit.
Meaning that they sue you and you lose to them.
The judge will issue a judgment for the lawsuit.
Your neighbor can take that judgment to the county clerk’s office and file it.
They will allow your neighbor to put a lien on your house.
This is the only way that a neighbor can put a lien on your house.
If they go this route, they must first file a “Notice of Intent to Lien.”
This will get sent to you via certified mail.
It states your neighbor’s valid reason for placing a lien on your house.
And it gives you an opportunity to resolve the debt you owe them.
This will allow you to avoid having your neighbor put a lien on your house.
Your neighbor cannot put a lien on your house for things like:
The people who can put a lien on your property are:
These people have the right to place a lien on your property.
This is because they directly contributed to improving your real estate.
They are granted lien rights by working on or contributing materials to a construction project.
Your neighbor cannot place a lien on your property.
They are not making any improvements to your property.
Let’s look at the different types of liens you, as a property owner, can deal with.
And determine if a neighbor can put a lien on your house for different situations.
Mechanic liens are for when you hire a contractor to do home improvement on your property.
It’s when someone performs work for homeowners and the homeowners don’t pay.
Your neighbor cannot put a mechanics lien on your house.
A property lien is when you are not paying your mortgage and you go through foreclosure.
Your lender will give you a notice of foreclosure to collect the money owed to them.
If you don’t pay your mortgage, you will lose your house to a property lien.
Your neighbor cannot place a property lien on your house.
Tax liens get used when a homeowner does not pay their property taxes.
The IRS will place a tax lien on your house to get you to pay your property taxes.
Your neighbor cannot put a tax lien on your house.
Judgment liens can only get used if the party wins a judgment against you.
This is if another party files a lawsuit against you and wins.
These parties include creditors for things like:
To file a lien on your property, they have to have the final judgment from the lawsuit.
They will file this lien on your house at the county recorder’s office.
A neighbor can put a judgment lien on your house if they win a lawsuit against you.
Let’s say they sue you for encroachment and win.
If you don’t remedy the encroachment, your neighbor can file a judgment lien on your property.