A mechanic's lien is a lien a contractor, subcontractor or supplier can file against a property when they are not paid for work or materials they provided, giving them a legal claim to be paid from a future sale. Tennessee, like most states, sets a strict deadline for filing one and for enforcing it by lawsuit within a set period after that.
Why it matters
An unpaid contractor from months ago can file a lien on your house well after the work is finished.
General information, not legal or tax advice.