Maryland Construction Lien Guide
Maryland lien laws are governed by the Maryland Mechanics’ Lien Law (Md. Real Property Code § 9-101 et seq.)
If you provide labor, materials, equipment, or services that improve real property in Maryland, this guide explains what you need to know to protect your lien rights, including notice requirements, filing deadlines, and enforcement rules.
In Maryland, the terms Mechanics Lien and Construction Lien are commonly used interchangeably.
LET’S LEARN THE BASICS OF MARYLAND CONSTRUCTION LIENS
⭐ Who Can File a Mechanics Lien in Maryland?
Maryland grants lien rights to parties who improve real property, including general contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, laborers, equipment rental companies, restoration contractors, and certain design professionals. If you furnished labor or materials to a Maryland project and were not paid, you may have lien rights under Maryland law.
⭐ Maryland Lien Deadlines (Critical)
LIEN IT OR LOSE IT! Maryland lien law is unique because it requires court involvement rather than simple recording.
Deadline #1: When Must a Maryland Mechanics Lien Be Filed?
In Maryland, a mechanics lien must be established through a court action, not simply recorded.
A Petition to Establish a Mechanics Lien must be filed within 180 days (6 months) from the date the claimant last furnished labor or materials to the project.
Missing this deadline permanently eliminates lien rights.
Deadline #2: Enforcing a Maryland Mechanics Lien
Once the court establishes the lien, enforcement occurs through the same court proceeding. Maryland does not have a separate post-filing enforcement deadline like many states.
BEFORE YOU CAN FILE A MARYLAND MECHANICS LIEN, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND MARYLAND’S NOTICE REQUIREMENT. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LIEN STEPS IN MARYLAND.
⭐ Maryland Notice of Intention to Claim a Lien Requirements
Maryland does not require a standard preliminary notice on most construction projects. However, subcontractors working on owner-occupied residential property must send a Notice of Intention to Claim a Mechanics Lien to preserve lien rights. This notice serves to inform the property owner that the subcontractor may file a lien if payment is not received.
Who Must Send a Maryland Notice of Intention to Claim a Lien?
A Notice of Intention to Claim a Lienis required if all of the following apply:
The project is owner-occupied residential property, and
The claimant is a subcontractor (not contracted directly with the owner)
Who Does NOT Need to Send a Maryland Notice of Intention to Claim a Lien?
General contractors with a direct contract with the owner
Claimants on commercial projects
Claimants on non-owner-occupied residential properties
Maryland Notice of Intention to Claim a Lien
When required, the Notice of Intention to Claim a Lien must be sent:
Within 120 days after the claimant last furnished labor or materials to the project.
Failure to timely send this notice will bar the subcontractor from asserting a mechanics lien on an owner-occupied residential property.