Massachusetts law about mechanic's liens

Laws, cases and web sources on mechanic's lien law.

A builder, contractor, or subcontractor can record a mechanic's lien at a Registry of Deeds on property (not automobiles) for which they have supplied labor and/or materials in order to secure payment for their work.

If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, or if you have a specific question, please contact our law librarians for assistance.

Table of Contents

Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 254 Liens on buildings and land

  • § 2 Written contract; notice; time for filing; form
  • § 2A Written contract; substantial completion; definitions; notice; filing; form; certified mail
  • § 2B Termination of written contract; notice; filing; form; certified mail
  • § 2D Subcontractor of design professional; lien; form and filing of notice
  • § 4 Subcontractors; writing contract; notice; filing; form; indirect contractual relationship; notice of identification
  • § 10 Dissolution by notice

Forms

Sample forms may be found in the statutes themselves (see Massachusetts laws) and in the Print Sources listed below. You may submit requests for copies of the forms through the Trial Court Law Libraries' Request a Document service.

Selected cases

Ng Brothers Const., Inc. v. Cranney, 436 Mass. 638 (2002)
Individual sections of the mechanic’s lien statute set out the time requirements for creating, maintaining, and enforcing a lien. Although not every procedural mistake is fatal, failure to comply normally results in dissolution of the lien, or in failure of the lien to attach.

Web sources

Massachusetts Mechanic's Lien Law summary of requirements, Worcester Registry of Deeds.
Provides a chart that outlines requirements by party.

"What is lien priority?" Nolo, 2024.
Lien priority determines the order in which creditors, including those who have filed Mechanic’s Liens, get paid following a foreclosure.

Print sources

REBA handbook of standards and forms, Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts.
Title standards are intended to help determine if what is recorded in the Registry of Deeds reasonably follows the law, and there is no defect in the title which would expose an owner to the risk of adverse claims or litigation. See:

  • Standard No. 62 Mechanic’s lien for personal labor only
  • Standard No. 63 Mechanic’s lien for contractor’s labor or labor and materials
  • Standard No. 64 Mechanic’s lien for subcontractor’s labor or labor and materials

Massachusetts construction law and litigation, 3rd ed., MCLE, 2024. Chapter 5 "The Massachusetts Mechanic’s Lien Law". 

Massachusetts construction law: Mechanics liens, payments and disputes, Lorman, 2014.

Massachusetts real estate litigation, LexisNexis, 2023. Chapter 2 Construction litigation, mechanics liens.

Massachusetts Practice Series

Contact   for Massachusetts law about mechanic's liens

Last updated: February 4, 2025

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