Hello, I filed a Lien on a property on 12/08/2021 and have not received payment. I recently received a "Release of Lien Bond" from the General Contractor written up by an Insurance Company. What does this mean for me as a Subcontractor? Or what steps should I take moving forward to get paid?
Assuming you already served a preliminary notice and are a proper claimant, the next step is to make a claim upon on the bond in writing to the surety and GC (principal on bond). Usually, they will acknowledge the claim and provide a claim form for you to complete. But do not delay too long as there is a short statute of limitations and a lawsuit may be necessary to enforce the claim on the release bond as set forth in Civil Code section 8424:
(a) An owner of real property or an owner of any interest in real property subject to a recorded claim of lien, or a direct contractor or subcontractor affected by the claim of lien, that disputes the correctness or validity of the claim may obtain release of the real property from the claim of lien by recording a lien release bond. The principal on the bond may be the owner of the property, the direct contractor, or the subcontractor.
(b) The bond shall be conditioned on payment of any judgment and costs the claimant recovers on the lien. The bond shall be in an amount equal to 125 percent of the amount of the claim of lien or 125 percent of the amount allocated in the claim of lien to the real property to be released. The bond shall be executed by an admitted surety insurer.
(c) The bond may be recorded either before or after commencement of an action to enforce the lien. On recordation of the bond, the real property is released from the claim of lien and from any action to enforce the lien.
(d) A person that obtains and records a lien release bond shall give notice to the claimant. The notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1 and shall include a copy of the bond. Failure to give the notice required by this section does not affect the validity of the bond, but the statute of limitations for an action on the bond is tolled until notice is given. The claimant shall commence an action on the bond within six months after notice is given.