WASHINGTON DC MECHANIC’S LIEN LAW

A Strong Legal Remedy for Resolving Construction Payment Disputes in The District of Columbia

 

What is a Mechanic’s Lien?

A mechanic’s lien in Washington DC is a statutory remedy for “contractors,” and anyone else “directly employed” by them, to recover monies owed for the construction, improvement, or repair of a building in the District of Columbia.

A mechanic’s lien claim, if properly enforced, results in the establishment of a lien against the owner’s real property (the land and building thereon) where the unpaid construction work and materials were provided. The lien can be used to force a sale of the owner’s interest in the real property as a source of monetary funds to satisfy the amount due. The lien amount equals the amount owed under the contract price, or if no written contract, the reasonable value of the unpaid portion of the project.

 

The History and Rationale for Mechanic’s Liens

The original rationale in this country for adopting a mechanic’s lien law was to encourage builders to become involved in the construction of Washington DC (originally referred to as “the District of Columbia”). At that time, there were no automobiles and the term “mechanic” generally referred to builders and skilled tradesmen such as masons and carpenters. The federal government’s credit was not as good back then as it is today. Creating a lien on the building was, and still is, a means of offering security to contractors and subcontractors providing labor and materials prior to payment.

In 1790, Congress approved the creation of a capital along the Potomac River with the precise location to be selected by George Washington. Shortly thereafter, in 1791, the State of Maryland (which, at that time, included the area where Washington DC is now located) passed the first Mechanic’s Lien Act in this country. The legislation was introduced in the Maryland Legislature by Thomas Jefferson.

 

Who Can Assert a Mechanic’s Lien?

Under the Washington DC mechanic’s lien statute, the term “contractor” means the contractor who directly contracted with the property owner to perform the construction work in question. On a large construction project this would typically be the general contractor who may, in turn, enter into subcontracts with other specialized construction trades necessary to perform the work. The term “subcontractor” as used herein, refers to any person “directly employed by” the owner’s contractor, such as a subcontractor, material supplier, or labor. Only those who contract directly with the owner or the owner’s contractor are entitled to seek a mechanic’s lien under the Washington DC mechanic’s lien law.

Sub-subcontractors, those who are not in direct contractual privity with the owner’s contractor, do not have lien rights under the Washington DC mechanic’s lien law.

 

Attachment and Preservation of a Mechanic’s Lien

 

In Washington DC, a mechanic’s lien attaches at the time of the commencement of the construction of the building. This early commencement date gives a mechanic’s lien priority in time over many types of subsequently created liens that attached to the property. For example, a lien resulting from a judgment obtained, or a second mortgage created, after construction of the building was commenced would not have priority over a properly enforced mechanic’s lien. However, the mechanic’s lien will terminate unless there is timely filing of a notice of intent to enforce a mechanic’s lien and compliance with the other statutory requirements discussed below.

 

Notice of Intent to Enforce Mechanic’s Lien – 90 days

Requirements for contractors and subcontractors

A notice of intent to enforce mechanic’s lien must be filed and recorded with the Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia no later than 90 days after the completion or termination of the project, whichever occurs earlier. The notice must identify the property subject to the lien and the amount due as well as contain the specified information and documentation required by the mechanic’s lien statute. The Recorder of Deeds office publishes a form for this purpose called “Notice of Mechanic’s Lien.”

Additionally, within five (5) business days after recording the notice, a copy must be sent by certified mail to the owner of the property. If the certified mail is returned unclaimed or undelivered, a copy of the recorded notice of mechanic’s lien must be posted on the property in a location generally visible from an entry point.

Additional Delivery Requirement for subcontractors

In addition to certified mail delivery discussed above, subcontractors must also serve an additional notice of Mechanic’s Lien on the owner ”by leaving a copy thereof with said owner or his agent, if said owner or agent is a resident of the District, or if neither can be found, by posting the [notice] on the premises.” An owner typically has no communication with subcontractors, so presumably, this additional form of delivery is to ensure the owner gets notice of its contractor’s failure to pay a subcontractor.

 

Owner’s Defense of payment and subcontractor notice

Until the property owner receives the required written notice that a subcontractor has not been paid, the owner can make payments to its contractor and rely upon the “defense of payment” to defeat a subcontractor’s mechanic’s lien claim. For example, if prior to receiving a subcontractor’s notice, the owner has paid the contractor in full (and the amount of payment is not disputed), then the subcontractor is not be entitled to a mechanic’s lien on the property. Therefore, it behooves subcontractors to provide the owner with the required notice as soon as possible while monies are still owed to the contractor.

 

Owner’s Duty to Withhold Payment

Once proper notice is provided by the subcontractor, the owner has a duty to withhold payments owed the contractor in an amount sufficient to satisfy the contractor’s debts to the subcontractor. Thereafter, the property will be subject to a subcontractor mechanic’s lien up to the amount still owed the contractor at the time the owner received the subcontractor’s notice.

 

Subcontractors take Subject to Contractual Defenses in the Owner-Contractor Agreement

Subcontractors seeking to enforce a mechanic’s lien take subject to any defenses that the owner has under its contract as against the contractor. As such, a subcontractor’s mechanic’s lien claim is only as strong as the rights of the contractor against the owner.

 

Suit to Enforce Mechanic’s Lien – 180 days

In order to enforce its mechanic’s lien, a contractor or subcontractor must also file a lawsuit seeking to enforce the mechanic’s lien in court within 180 days after the date that the Notice of Intent to Enforce Mechanic’s Lien was recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds. Additionally, a notice of pendency of the lawsuit must be recorded in the land records office within 10 days of filing suit. The failure to timely file the lawsuit and record a notice of pendency of action will cause the lien to terminate. The lawsuit, also referred to as a “bill in equity,” must contain specific allegations as set forth in the Washington DC Mechanic’s Lien law.

 

Be Specific in Mechanics’ Lien Documentation

The notice of intent to enforce mechanic’s lien and the subsequent lawsuit seeking to enforce mechanic’s lien, referenced above, must contain specific information and documentation as specified in the Washington DC Mechanic’s Lien Statute. Failure to timely include all the require information and documentation can result in the failure to obtain a lien.

 

Decree of Sale

If the lawsuit establishes that the contractor or subcontractor is entitled to enforce a mechanic’s lien, the court will issue a decree of sale of the land and premises of the owner.

 

Mechanic’s Lien Waivers

A contractor may waive its mechanic’s lien rights in a construction contract with the owner. However, under the Washington DC mechanic’s lien statute, a waiver of liens in the contract between the owner and the contractor is not effective against a subcontractor.

An owner can, however, require a contractor to obtain signed mechanic’s lien releases from all subcontractors and material suppliers on a project for work performed and materials provided. These releases can be made part of the contract or obtained upon completion of the subcontractors work or provision of materials and, in either case, will protect owners and contractors from mechanic’s liens.

 

 

202-670-6289 | 301-830-8315 | 410-327-3800

cowielawgroup.com

Washington DC Construction Lawyers

Maryland Construction Attorneys

 

#WashingtonDCMechanicsLienLawAttorneys

#WashingtonDCMechanicsLienLaw

#DCMechanicsLienLawyer