I sold property in Rockland Maine recently, and it had to have a new sewer drain field installed for a cost of $20,000. It is on my deed that the next door neighbor is responsible for 50% of the cost for their connection to my system.. The county want issue them a permit to build their own. I can't get them to respond to my reimbursement request on their behalf. Can I impose a lien on their property?...Thanks in advanced.....Harold
Maine mechanic’s lien law provides as follows: “Whoever performs labor or furnishes labor or materials, . . . or performs services as a surveyor, an architect, a forester licensed under Title 32, chapter 76 or an engineer, or as a real estate licensee, or as an owner-renter, owner-lessor, or owner-supplier of equipment used in erecting, altering, moving or repairing a house, building or appurtenances, . . . including the surveying, clearing, grading, draining, excavating or landscaping of the ground adjacent to and upon which any such objects are constructed, or in selling any interest in land, improvements or structures, by virtue of a contract with or by consent of the owner, has a lien thereon and on the land on which it stands and on any interest such owner has in the same, to secure payment thereof, with costs.” What this means is you need to perform labor, furnish labor or materials, or perform services in one of the capacities listed above used in erecting, altering, moving, or repairing your neighbor’s property to potentially be able to record a mechanic’s lien on their property. I cannot tell from the facts in your question whether you would be able to record such a lien. That said, sometimes a demand letter from an attorney will prompt a response that can lead to a resolution of matters of this type.