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

In Rhode Island, a contractor must, before or within 200 days after doing the work, mail a notice of intention by registered or certified mail to the owner and file a copy in the city or town land evidence records. A contractor who contracted directly with the owner is not entitled to a lien unless, before starting work, the contractor gave the owner the statutory Notice of Possible Mechanic’s Lien, either conspicuously in the written contract or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The complaint to enforce the lien and a notice of lis pendens must be filed within 40 days of recording the notice of intention, or the lien is void. Registered contractors’ written contracts with property owners must also state that a lien may be filed under the mechanics’ lien law. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-28-4, 34-28-4.1, 34-28-10, 5-65-18.

WhatRhode Island
Deadline to file the lien200 days after doing the work
Who this deadline is forA contractor hired directly by the owner

Source

R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-28-4, 34-28-4.1, 34-28-10, 5-65-18

Read the statute in the Rhode Island General Laws (Rhode Island General Assembly): webserver.rilegislature.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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