Mechanic's Lien Deadlines & Notice Requirements in New Hampshire

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Who can claim and give notice

Section 447:2(I) gives a lien for qualifying labor, professional design services, and material of at least $15 under a contract with the owner. Subsection II identifies the covered licensed or certified design professions. A person working by contract with the owner's agent, contractor, or subcontractor may claim the same lien by giving the owner or person in charge written notice before furnishing (§ 447:5). Section 447:6 permits later notice, but then limits the lien to amounts then due or later becoming due to the intermediary. A notice-giver must also furnish a written account as often as every 30 days (§ 447:8).

Construction-mortgage lender notice

If a construction mortgage funds the project, § 447:12-b(I) requires the mortgagor or agent to post the lender’s contact details at the jobsite within 10 business days of the mortgage. Under subsection II, a lien claimant must notify that lender in writing within 15 business days after the later of the posting or commencement of furnishing. The notice names the jobsite; failure to give it does not alone invalidate the lien.

Duration and attachment

The lien under §§ 447:2-7 continues for 120 days after services are performed or materials furnished, unless paid sooner (§ 447:9). While it continues, it may be secured by attachment of the property, with the writ and return stating that purpose (§ 447:10). Those sections provide no separate lien-statement recording step or owner-recorded completion-notice trigger.

Attachment priority

Section 447:11 gives an attachment priority over later lien claims, subject to its existing-contract and property-preservation exceptions. Section 447:12-a gives qualified priority over a construction mortgage, with exceptions for specified loan disbursements and affidavits.

Residential property

The building lien in § 447:2 expressly includes a house. The cited chapter does not prescribe a separate residential notice or attachment period. It also covers different claims, including vessel liens in § 447:1 and bond petitions in § 447:18, outside this private building-lien question.

What trips people up

For a claimant working through an intermediary, notice before furnishing under § 447:5 and later notice under § 447:6 protect different amounts. The account duty in § 447:8 continues as often as every 30 days after notice. The 120-day duration in § 447:9 is a window for securing the lien by attachment under § 447:10, rather than a deadline to record a conventional lien statement.

Common questions

Can I give the owner notice after finishing work? Section 447:6 permits later notice, but limits the lien to sums then or later due to the contractor, agent, or subcontractor.

Do I file a lien statement in the land records? Chapter 447 instead describes a lien arising from qualifying work and its preservation through attachment while the lien continues (§§ 447:2, :9-:10).

Statutes and sources

• RSA 447:1 and RSA 447:18 (other chapter claims): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-mrg.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:2 (building lien): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-2.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:5 (intermediated claimant notice): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-5.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:6 (later notice): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-6.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:8 (accounts): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-8.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:9 (lien duration): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-9.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:10 (attachment): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-mrg.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:11 (later liens): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-11.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:12-a (mortgage priority): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-12-a.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)
• RSA 447:12-b (construction-mortgage lender notice): https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-12-b.htm (accessed 2026-10-06)