Tennessee mechanic's liens

Who and what this applies to

Nonresidential remote-contractor lien notices under T.C.A. §§66-11-145 and 66-11-115; excludes one- through four-family residential projects from the §145 notice rule.

Thresholds and scope

This is a remote-contractor notice summary; owner-contracted and residential claims have different provisions.

The rules

• Section 66-11-145 requires notice of unpaid furnishing to the owner and relevant prime contractor within 90 days after the last day of each month of unpaid work. The notice states claimant/contact, work, amount, last furnishing and property. Failure defeats lien rights for affected work, except the statute’s retained-performance-money exception. Source
• That monthly nonpayment notice is separate from the owner notice of lien under §66-11-115. Under §115, the remote lien continues 90 days after service of its lien notice unless a proper enforcement suit is brought within that period. Source

Deadlines

Monthly notice: 90 days from each relevant month-end. Remote-lien enforcement: 90 days after service of lien notice.

Primary sources

• PC0189.pdf

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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