Would I have any problems against my self if I placed a lien on a commercial property not being licensed?The Sub contractor has not paid me yet.
1 reply
Dec 31, 2018
That's an interesting question. First, where licensure is required, it's always a good idea to obtain that license prior to performing work. Failure to obtain the necessary and relevant licensure can have serious consequences - beyond the mere loss of lien rights. Penalties, fines, and sometimes even criminal charges can come into play for unlicensed contractors. Washington is a state that takes licensure particularly seriously. If a lien claimant is required by law to obtain licensure for the work they perform, and if the claimant fails to carry that license, that claimant will not have the right to file a valid and enforceable mechanics lien. Of course, if a claimant's work does not require licensure, that claimant won't need to be licensed in order to file a lien. For questions regarding Washington's licensure requirements, this site should be a good resource: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. If you have other questions about Washington mechanics lien filings, this should be of use: Washington Lien & Notice FAQs.