RHODE ISLAND NOTICE OF POSSIBLE MECHANICS LIEN / NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CLAIM LIEN

(Pre-Lien Notices - R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-28)

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Sections 34-28-1 through 34-28-37

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Rhode Island has TWO distinct notice requirements:

1. Notice of Possible Mechanics Lien (§ 34-28-4.1) - Required for contractors, engineers, and architects contracting DIRECTLY with the owner. Must be given BEFORE commencement of work.

2. Notice of Intention to Claim Lien (§ 34-28-4) - Required for ALL claimants to perfect a lien. Must be mailed to owner AND filed with land evidence within 200 days of last furnishing.

NOTE: Subcontractors and suppliers who do NOT contract directly with the owner are NOT required to send the Notice of Possible Mechanics Lien.

SELECT NOTICE TYPE

☐ NOTICE OF POSSIBLE MECHANICS LIEN (For contractors/architects/engineers with direct owner contract)
☐ NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CLAIM LIEN (For all claimants to perfect lien)

CLAIMANT TYPE

Claimant's Relationship:
☐ Direct contract with owner (Notice of Possible Lien REQUIRED before work)
☐ Contract with contractor/subcontractor (No Notice of Possible Lien required)

NOTICE TIMING

Date of This Notice: _________________________________

For Notice of Possible Mechanics Lien:
☐ Being given BEFORE commencement of work (required)
☐ Being given WITHIN 10 days of starting work (by certified mail if not in contract)

For Notice of Intention to Claim Lien:
Date Last Furnished Labor/Materials: _________________________________
200-Day Deadline: _________________________________

SECTION 1: PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION

Name of Property Owner (or Lessee/Tenant): _________________________________

Owner's Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: RI ZIP: _________

SECTION 2: PROPERTY INFORMATION

Property Street Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: RI ZIP: _________

Legal Description of Property (general description):
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION 3: CLAIMANT INFORMATION

Claimant Name: _________________________________

Claimant Business Name (if different): _________________________________

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

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

Rhode Island Contractor Registration No. (if applicable): _________________________________

Claimant Classification:
☐ Contractor (direct contract with owner)
☐ Architect
☐ Engineer
☐ Subcontractor
☐ Material Supplier
☐ Laborer
☐ Other: _________________________________

SECTION 4: CONTRACTING PARTY INFORMATION (For Subcontractors)

Name of Person/Entity Who Hired Claimant:
_________________________________

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

SECTION 5: DESCRIPTION OF WORK OR MATERIALS

General Description of Work Performed or Materials Furnished:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

Date Work Commenced: _________________________________

Date Last Furnished: _________________________________

SECTION 6: NOTICE OF POSSIBLE MECHANICS LIEN (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-4.1)

For Contractors, Engineers, and Architects Contracting Directly with Owner

NOTICE OF POSSIBLE MECHANICS LIEN

You are hereby notified that the undersigned has been engaged to perform construction services and/or furnish materials for improvements to your property located at:

_________________________________

Under Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-28), if the undersigned is not paid for labor performed and/or materials furnished, a mechanics lien may be filed against your property.

A mechanics lien may result in the loss of your property through foreclosure proceedings even if you have paid your contractor in full, if subcontractors, suppliers, or laborers are not paid.

To protect yourself:
- Require lien waivers from all parties before making final payment
- Issue joint checks payable to contractor and subcontractors/suppliers
- Consult with a Rhode Island-licensed attorney

This notice is given pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-4.1.

SECTION 7: NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CLAIM LIEN (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-4)

Required to Perfect Lien - Must be Mailed and Filed

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CLAIM MECHANICS LIEN

To: _________________________________ (Owner)

The undersigned hereby gives notice of intention to claim a mechanics lien against the property located at:

_________________________________

Claimant: _________________________________

Address: _________________________________

Amount of Claim: $__________________

Description of Labor/Materials Furnished:
_________________________________
_________________________________

Date Work Last Performed / Materials Last Furnished: _________________________________

Under Rhode Island law, this notice must be:
1. Mailed to the property owner within 200 days after last furnishing labor or materials
2. Filed with the land evidence records in the city/town where the property is located

SECTION 8: SIGNATURE

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

Title: _________________________________

SECTION 9: PROOF OF SERVICE/FILING

Notice of Possible Mechanics Lien

Method of Delivery:
☐ Conspicuously included in written contract with owner
☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested (within 10 days of starting work)

Date: _________________________________

Notice of Intention to Claim Lien

Mailed to Owner:

☐ Mailed within 200 days of last furnishing

Date Mailed: _________________________________

Method: ☐ Certified mail ☐ Regular mail

Tracking Number (if applicable): _________________________________

Filed with Land Evidence Records:

City/Town: _________________________________

Date Filed: _________________________________

Book: _________ Page: _________

RHODE ISLAND MECHANICS LIEN - LEGAL REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

KEY DEADLINES

NOTICE OF POSSIBLE MECHANICS LIEN REQUIREMENTS (§ 34-28-4.1)

Who Must Give: Contractors, engineers, and architects contracting directly with owner or lessee

How to Give:
- Conspicuously included in written contract, OR
- Mailed via certified mail, return receipt requested, within 10 days of starting work

Consequence of Failure:
- Does NOT affect lien rights of subcontractors/suppliers
- Contractor who fails must indemnify owner from claims of subs/suppliers (unless owner hasn't paid contractor)

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CLAIM LIEN REQUIREMENTS (§ 34-28-4)

To Perfect a Lien, Claimant Must:
1. Mail notice of intention to property owner within 200 days of last furnishing
2. File copy of notice in land evidence records of city/town where property is located

NOTE: The 200-day period is both for mailing AND filing.

ENFORCEMENT

Within 40 days of perfecting the lien (mailing + filing the Notice of Intention), the lien-holder must file a complaint in Superior Court.

WHO MAY CLAIM A LIEN (§ 34-28-1)

☐ Contractors
☐ Subcontractors
☐ Material suppliers
☐ Laborers
☐ Architects
☐ Engineers

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

This form is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rhode Island mechanics lien law has specific notice and filing requirements. The 40-day enforcement deadline after perfecting the lien is particularly short. Consult with a Rhode Island-licensed attorney to ensure compliance with all statutory requirements.

VERIFICATION: Ensure all information is accurate. Both mailing to owner AND filing with land evidence are required to perfect the lien.

Rhode Island Notice of Possible Mechanics Lien / Notice of Intention Template - Version 2026.01
Based on Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 34-28