Tennessee Lien Law

Supplier – Preliminary notice requirements to file mechanic lien

90 days: Notice of Non-Payment must be provided to the owner within 90 days of last day of the month labor and materials provided. For example, if labor was provided on April 3, then notice is provided 90 days from April 30th. A repeat notice is required each following month for unpaid services or materials that are provided.

Subcontractor – Preliminary notice requirements to file mechanic lien

90 days: Notice of Non-Payment must be provided to the owner within 90 days of last day of the month labor and materials provided. For example, if labor was provided on April 3, then notice is provided 90 days from April 30th. A repeat notice is required each following month for unpaid services or materials that are provided.

Subcontractor – Mechanic Lien

90 days: Generally, a lien must be filed within 90 days of the completion of the work or improvement. If a Notice of Completion has been recorded then a ten-day (10-day) expiration for lien claimants applies to contracts for improvement to or on real property for one-family, two-family, three-family and four-family residential units. If a Notice of Completion has been recorded for all other contracts for improvement to or on real property, the expiration for lien claimants is thirty (30) days from the date of the filing of the Notice of Completion.

General Contractor – Preliminary notice requirements to file mechanic lien

Before work: Notice to Owner prior to commencing work.

General Contractor – Mechanic Lien

1 year: A lien must be filed within 1 year of last furnishing labor and/or materials. If a Notice of Completion has been recorded then a ten-day (10-day) expiration for lien claimants applies to contracts for improvement to or on real property for one-family, two-family, three-family and four-family residential units. If a Notice of Completion has been recorded for all other contracts for improvement to or on real property, the expiration for lien claimants is thirty (30) days from the date of the filing of the Notice of Completion.

Timeframe to foreclose lien:

Remote Contractor (Subcontractor or supplier) lien has to be enforced within 90 days of completion of the improvement.

Construction participants not covered by lien law:

A contractor with a direct contract with the owner lien must be enforced during one year from the improvement being completed or abandoned.
On owner-occupied residential property, only prime contractors working on or supplying materials are entitled to lien rights

Cost and damages not allowed in lien claim:

The lien amount should not include any interest, service charges, late fees, attorneys’ fees, or other amounts to which a lienor may be entitled by contract or law.