A Lien On Your House
Minn. Stat. 514.011 — the notice in the contract, 120 days to record, and one year to enforce
The notice in the contract. A contractor who will use subcontractors or suppliers includes in the written contract with the owner a notice that anyone supplying labor or materials who is not paid may file a lien, and that the owner may pay them directly and deduct it, or withhold amounts due until 120 days after completion unless given lien waivers. A contractor who fails to give the notice does not have the lien.
| The step | The statute's answer |
|---|---|
| The stepSubcontractor's notice to the owner | The statute's answerNot later than 45 days after first furnishing labor, skill or materials |
| The stepRecording the lien statement | The statute's answerWithin 120 days after the last work or materials, with a copy served on the owner |
| The stepEnforcing it | The statute's answerWithin one year after the last item of the claim in the recorded statement |
Whether a particular lien is valid, and how to contest or discharge one, are questions for a licensed Minnesota attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- Minn. Stat. 514.011 — Notice
- Minn. Stat. 514.08 — Statement; notice; necessity for recording
- Minn. Stat. 514.12 — Notice of lis pendens; one-year limitation
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.