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Can we go ahead and proceed on filing a lien?

Texas

Customer has been promising to pay and hasn't can we go ahead and lien them

2 replies

Nov 24, 2021

You really should retain a construction attorney to review and evaluate your legal position based on the contract and pertinent documents. The right to be entitled to file a mechanic's lien is set out in Texas Property Code Chapter 53, and you really need to make sure that if you file a lien, you have properly and appropriately done so.

Filing an invalid lien could subject you to liability under the Texas Fraudulent Lien Act, and you could be liable for statutory damages of $10,000, or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees. Facing such a claim would add insult to injury.

Whether or not you have a right to file a mechanic's lien will depend on a host of factors, including without limitation, the nature of the project (commercial, residential, homestead, etc.), where you are on the pecking order (original contractor with a contract directly with the owner or the owner's agent, or subcontractor, or what), whether you provided the notices required under Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code, when you performed the work for which you have not been paid, whether the project has been completed, and other factors.

Again, retain a construction attorney to evaluate your legal situation and to provide advice.

Good luck.

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Nov 29, 2021
Whether or not they promised to pay is not relevant. The key is when the payment was due. You can provide notice and follow this with filing the lien up until the deadlines for filing notices and liens. The notice must precede the lien. There are different rules for general contractors and subcontractors. A general contractor does not need to send a notice; however, the lien must be filed (1) For a commercial project the lien must be filed on or before 15th of the 4th month the payment is due. (2) for a homestead on or before the 15th of the 3rd month. On the other hand, for a subcontractor, a notice must be sent before filing the line. So, for a commercial project, a subcontractor must send the notice by the 15th of the 3rd month and file the lien no later than the 15th of the 4th month. For a homestead, the subcontractor must send the notice no later than 15th of the 2nd month and file the lien by the 15th of the 3rd month. Always send the notice before filing the lien.
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