What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a contractor with a written contract with the owner must record a notice of contract in the registry of deeds no later than 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials, or sooner if a notice of substantial completion or termination is recorded. The notice of contract is due 60 days after a recorded notice of substantial completion or 90 days after a recorded notice of termination, if either comes first. The contractor must then record a sworn statement of the amount due in the registry of deeds within 120 days after the last work (90 days after a notice of substantial completion, or 120 days after a notice of termination, if earlier), and the lien is dissolved unless a civil action to enforce it is started within 90 days after that statement is filed. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is M.G.L. c. 254, §§ 2, 8, 11.

WhatMassachusetts
Deadline to file the lienNotice of contract within 90 days after last work
Who this deadline is forA contractor hired directly by the owner

Source

M.G.L. c. 254, §§ 2, 8, 11

Read the statute in the General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature): malegislature.gov.

Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.

This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.

How Seayora uses this rule

A contractor on Seayora keeps every job’s dates, its estimate, its invoices and its payments in one record, so the date work was last performed and the amount still owed are on file when a lien deadline is counted.

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