New Mexico Mechanics Lien Form

There are a few things going on here. For one, when working on a tenant improvement, mechanics lien rights will typically be limited to the tenant's interest in the property. Further discussion on that here: Construction Lien Rights When a Project is a Tenant Improvement.

Additionally, note that federally owned land is generally not subject to mechanics liens. So, filing a lien against land owned by the federal government will typically result in an invalid lien claim. Instead of mechanics lien claims, Miller Act bond claims are usually more appropriate, when the project is bonded. Levelset discusses the Miller Act and bond claims on federal jobs here: The Miller Act Claims: What You Need to Know to Make a Claim.

So, with all of that being said: A lien against a tenant's interest might be available even where the land is owned by the federal government. And, it's possible the project is bonded and that a Miller Act claim could be available. Plus, regardless of lien or bond rights, legal claims will be on the table - and sending invoice reminders, Notices of Intent, demand letters, collections, or even something like small claims court or full on litigation could all be paths for recovery. And, naturally, consulting with a New Mexico construction lawyer could help identify the best path forward: Top New Mexico Construction Lawyers.

If contractors and suppliers don't get paid on a construction project in New Mexico, they can file a mechanics lien to secure payment. Some quick mechanics lien deadlines you should be aware of include: 

• No Preliminary notice deadlines
• A mechanics lien must be filed within 120 days from project completion
• An action to enforce a New Mexico mechanics lien must be initiated within 2 years from the lien's filing. The deadline may not be extended, and missing the deadline renders the lien unenforceable. 

If you have a license that is required by the Construction Industries Licensing Act, you must be licensed to claim a lien. An unlicensed contractor may not be able to file a suit to recover any money owed even without the protection of a lien. 

The step-by-step process of filing a lien can be found here.