MASSACHUSETTS CONSTRUCTION LIEN NOTICES

Notice of Identification / Notice of Contract

Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 254

IMPORTANT NOTICE

MASSACHUSETTS LIEN REQUIREMENTS:

1. Written Contract Required - You MUST have a written contract to file a lien (emails, texts may qualify)

2. Notice of Identification (M.G.L. c. 254 § 4) - Required for sub-subcontractors within 30 days of first furnishing

3. Notice of Contract (Subcontract) - Must be filed with Registry of Deeds to perfect lien

IMPORTANT: Mechanic's liens are only available on private projects, not public works.

SELECT NOTICE TYPE

☐ Notice of Identification - Required for sub-subcontractors within 30 days (M.G.L. c. 254 § 4)
☐ Notice of Contract (Subcontract) - To be filed with Registry of Deeds (M.G.L. c. 254 § 4)

PART A: NOTICE OF IDENTIFICATION

(M.G.L. c. 254 § 4 - For Sub-Subcontractors)

IMPORTANT: This notice is required for sub-subcontractors (parties who:
- Do NOT have a direct contract with the general contractor
- Have an agreement with a subcontractor or another party

This notice must be served within 30 days of first furnishing labor or materials.

NOTICE DATE AND TIMING

Date of This Notice: _________________________________

Date Claimant First Furnished Labor/Materials: _________________________________

30-Day Deadline: _________________________________
(Must be served within 30 days of first furnishing)

SECTION A1: RECIPIENTS

This notice must be served on:

General Contractor:

Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: MA ZIP: _________

Property Owner:

Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: MA ZIP: _________

SECTION A2: PROPERTY INFORMATION

Property Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ County: _________________ ZIP: _________

Registry of Deeds:
County/District: _________________________________

SECTION A3: CLAIMANT (SUB-SUBCONTRACTOR) INFORMATION

Claimant Name: _________________________________

Company Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

Massachusetts License No. (if applicable): _________________________________

SECTION A4: CONTRACTING PARTY

Name of Subcontractor with Whom Claimant Contracted:
_________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

SECTION A5: NOTICE OF IDENTIFICATION CONTENT

NOTICE OF IDENTIFICATION

(Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 254 § 4)

TO: _________________________________ (General Contractor)
AND: _________________________________ (Property Owner)

The undersigned hereby provides notice of identification as required by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 254, Section 4.

CLAIMANT INFORMATION:
Name: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
_________________________________

SUBCONTRACTOR (Party with Whom Claimant Contracted):
Name: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________

PROPERTY BEING IMPROVED:
_________________________________
_________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF WORK/MATERIALS:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

DATE OF FIRST FURNISHING: _________________________________

PART B: NOTICE OF CONTRACT (SUBCONTRACT)

(M.G.L. c. 254 § 4)

IMPORTANT: This notice must be filed with the Registry of Deeds to perfect lien rights. Filing deadlines:
- 60 days after filing of Notice of Substantial Completion
- 90 days after filing of Notice of Termination
- 90 days after last furnishing of labor/materials (if no notice filed)

NOTICE DATE AND FILING

Date of This Notice: _________________________________

Date of Last Furnishing: _________________________________

Notice of Substantial Completion Filed (if any): _________________________________

Filing Deadline: _________________________________

SECTION B1: REGISTRY OF DEEDS INFORMATION

County/District: _________________________________

Registry of Deeds Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION B2: PROPERTY INFORMATION

Property Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ County: _________________ ZIP: _________

Legal Description:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

Book/Page of Property Deed: Book _________ Page _________

SECTION B3: OWNER INFORMATION

Property Owner Name:
_________________________________

Owner Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: MA ZIP: _________

SECTION B4: GENERAL CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

General Contractor Name:
_________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: MA ZIP: _________

SECTION B5: CLAIMANT INFORMATION

Claimant Name: _________________________________

Company Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

SECTION B6: CONTRACT INFORMATION

Party with Whom Claimant Contracted:
_________________________________

Contract Date: _________________________________

Contract Price: $__________________

Description of Labor, Services, or Materials:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION B7: NOTICE OF CONTRACT CONTENT

NOTICE OF CONTRACT

(Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 254 § 4)

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has entered into a contract to furnish labor, services, materials, or equipment for the improvement of the real property described below.

PROPERTY:
_________________________________
County: _________________ Registry District: _________________

OWNER:
_________________________________

CLAIMANT:
Name: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________

CONTRACTED WITH:
_________________________________

DATE OF CONTRACT: _________________________________

CONTRACT PRICE: $__________________

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
_________________________________
_________________________________

SIGNATURE AND SERVICE

SECTION C1: CLAIMANT'S SIGNATURE

I, the undersigned, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true and correct.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

Title: _________________________________

SECTION C2: SERVICE AND FILING

For Notice of Identification:

Service Method: ☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested

Service to General Contractor:
Date: _________________ Certified Mail No.: _________________

Service to Owner:
Date: _________________ Certified Mail No.: _________________

For Notice of Contract:

Filed with Registry of Deeds:
Date Filed: _________________________________
Book: _________ Page: _________
Document No.: _________________________________

Actual Notice Given to Owner:
Date: _________________________________
Method: _________________________________

MASSACHUSETTS CONSTRUCTION LIEN - LEGAL REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

WRITTEN CONTRACT REQUIREMENT

CRITICAL: You MUST have a written contract to file a mechanic's lien in Massachusetts.
- "Written contract" may include emails, texts, writings on envelope if they satisfy material contract terms
- No written contract = No lien rights

NOTICE OF IDENTIFICATION (M.G.L. c. 254 § 4)

Who Must Provide:
- Sub-subcontractors (parties without direct contract with general contractor)

Deadline:
- 30 days from first furnishing labor or materials

Service:
- By certified mail, return receipt requested
- To general contractor AND owner

Consequence of Late/No Notice:
- Limited to amount due to first tier subcontractor at time Notice of Contract is recorded

NOTICE OF CONTRACT (SUBCONTRACT)

Filing Deadline (Earliest of):
- 60 days after Notice of Substantial Completion
- 90 days after Notice of Termination
- 90 days after last furnishing (if no notice filed)

Requirements:
- File with Registry of Deeds
- Give actual notice to owner

Effect:
- Upon filing and giving actual notice to owner, subcontractor has lien on real property
- Lien shall not exceed amount due under original contract at time of notice

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT (M.G.L. c. 254 § 8)

Filing Deadline (Earliest of):
- 90 days after Notice of Completion
- 120 days after Notice of Termination
- 120 days after last furnishing

Requirement: Sworn statement of account must be recorded or lien is dissolved

PARTIES WITH LIEN RIGHTS

• General contractors (direct contract with owner)
• Subcontractors (direct contract with GC)
• Sub-subcontractors (must provide Notice of Identification)
• Material suppliers
• Equipment rental companies

PARTIES WITHOUT LIEN RIGHTS

• Suppliers to suppliers
• Sub-sub-subcontractors and beyond
• Parties on public projects

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT DEADLINES

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

This form is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Massachusetts mechanic's lien law requires strict compliance with written contract and notice requirements.

CONSULT AN ATTORNEY: Before relying on this form, consult with a Massachusetts-licensed attorney familiar with construction lien law.

WRITTEN CONTRACT REQUIRED: Ensure you have a written contract before attempting to file any lien.

Massachusetts Construction Lien Notices Template - Version 2026.01
Based on M.G.L. Chapter 254