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

In New Hampshire, a contractor who contracts with the owner has a lien on the building and lot that continues for 120 days after the work is performed or the materials are furnished, and it is secured by attaching the property by court writ while the lien continues. The lien arises for labor or materials of $15 or more furnished under a contract with the owner; no recorded lien statement is required by these sections, but the lien ends after 120 days unless secured by attachment. When the project has a construction mortgage, a person entitled to a lien must give the lender written notice within 15 business days of the lender’s jobsite posting or of starting work, whichever is later, although failing to do so does not alone invalidate the lien. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is RSA 447:2, 447:9, 447:10, 447:12-b.

WhatNew Hampshire
Deadline to file the lienSecure by attachment within 120 days
Who this deadline is forA contractor hired directly by the owner

Source

RSA 447:2, 447:9, 447:10, 447:12-b

Read the statute in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes (General Court of New Hampshire): gencourt.state.nh.us.

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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