What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, a prime contractor’s lien lasts one year after the improvement is completed or abandoned, but the contractor must record a sworn statement with the register of deeds within 90 days after completion or abandonment to keep its priority against later buyers and lenders without notice. Before making the contract or starting work on residential real property, a contractor dealing with the owner must deliver the statute’s written notice that the contractor will have a lien for one year after the work is finished. A suit to enforce the lien must be brought within that one year. If the owner records a notice of completion and serves it on the prime contractor, a prime contractor that has not recorded its contract or sworn statement must serve written notice of its claim within 10 days of the recording on a one- to four-family residence (30 days on other property), or its lien rights expire. On a home the owner lives in or intends to live in, only a prime contractor has a lien. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is Tenn. Code §§ 66-11-106, 66-11-112, 66-11-143, 66-11-146, 66-11-203.
| What | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file the lien | Record within 90 days after completion |
| Who this deadline is for | A contractor hired directly by the owner |
Source
Tenn. Code §§ 66-11-106, 66-11-112, 66-11-143, 66-11-146, 66-11-203
Read the statute in the Tennessee Code (Tennessee General Assembly): capitol.tn.gov.
The linked sections open Justia’s free copy of the code, because the state’s own site has no stable address for each section.
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.
Guides on this rule
- Mechanic’s Lien Deadlines by State: When to File — Mechanic’s lien filing deadlines in all 50 states and DC, when each clock starts, and the notice a statute requires before filing.
Compare this rule in every state
More Tennessee rules
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Tennessee?
- How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in Tennessee?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in Tennessee?
- Is there a grace period for paying rent in Tennessee?
- What are squatters’ rights in Tennessee?
- Is there rent control in Tennessee?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Tennessee?
- What happens if a tenant breaks a lease in Tennessee?
- Do HVAC contractors need a license in Tennessee?
- Do you need a general contractor license in Tennessee?
- Do you need a license to do electrical work in Tennessee?
- Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Tennessee?
- Does a home improvement contractor need a license or registration in Tennessee?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in Tennessee?
- Is appliance repair taxable in Tennessee?
- Every Tennessee rule on one page
The same question in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii