What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Texas?
In Texas, an original contractor on a residential construction project must file the lien affidavit with the county clerk by the 15th day of the third month after the month its work was completed, terminated or abandoned (the fourth month on other projects). The contractor must send a copy of the filed affidavit to the owner within five days after filing. Before the owner signs a residential construction contract, the original contractor must deliver the statutory "Know your rights and responsibilities" disclosure statement. To fix a lien on a homestead, the contract must be in writing, signed before any work or materials are furnished, signed by both spouses if the owner is married, and filed with the county clerk. Suit to foreclose the lien must be brought by the first anniversary of the last day the affidavit could have been filed, extendable by a recorded written agreement with the owner to the second anniversary of filing. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is Tex. Prop. Code §§ 53.001, 53.052, 53.055, 53.158, 53.254, 53.255.
| What | Texas |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file the lien | 15th day of 3rd month after work ends (residential) |
| Who this deadline is for | A contractor hired directly by the owner |
Source
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 53.001, 53.052, 53.055, 53.158, 53.254, 53.255
Read the statute in the Texas Statutes (Texas Legislature): statutes.capitol.texas.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.
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.
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The same question in other states
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