Hi, I was hired by a contractor and did work in a building. The owner and contractor aren't getting along anymore and the owner doesn't want to pay. Can I get a letter from the contractor that the owner can pay me direct and will be freed from that liability?
The contractor can permit direct payment. However, the owner is only liable to its contractors' subcontractors (under a mechanic's lien theory) to the extent that there is money outstanding the original construction contract. If there is no money owed to the GC, such as if the owner paid everything, or the owner has excess completion costs or other backcharges against the GC, then the owner would have no obligation to make such a payment.