Discovering a lien on your property could be an unwelcome surprise, especially if you're trying to sell your home. Liens, which can arise if you have unpaid debts, give creditors a legal claim to a portion of your property. If you want to sell or refinance your home, any outstanding liens must be satisfied first. The tricky part is that homeowners aren't always aware that a lien exists.
If you're wondering how to find liens on a property, know that it's pretty easy to locate these public records. You can check with your county, work with a title search company or use an online search tool. Here's what to know.
What Are Property Liens?
A lien is a claim that gives creditors or lenders a legal right to your property if you fail to repay a debt. A lien can be something you enter into voluntarily. For example, when you take out a mortgage, your home serves as collateral. If you default on your mortgage, the lender has the right to foreclose on your home to recover their losses—the lender's claim on your home is the lien.
But liens can also be involuntary. That includes:
- Tax liens: A tax lien can be attached to your property if you don't pay your taxes, whether that's state or federal income taxes or local property taxes. This type of lien is at the top of the priority list—if there are multiple leans on a property and the home is sold, tax liens will get paid first. Tax liens could also lead to a forced sale.
- Judgment liens: This type of lien, which is court-ordered, can be placed on your property if an unpaid creditor proves that you defaulted on your payments. If you sell or refinance your home, you'll be obligated to satisfy any judgement liens.
- Child support liens: A lien could be placed on your home if you fall behind on court-ordered child support payments. The lien will remain active until you're caught up on your payments or the custodial parent chooses to cancel the lien.
- Mechanic or construction liens: This kind of lien can pop up if a contractor or subcontractor did work on your home and was never paid. Even if you settle your bill as promised, a mechanic or construction lien could still be placed on your property if the contractor fails to pay their workers or subcontractors.
Learn more >> Tax Liens Are No Longer a Part of Credit Reports
How to Check for Liens
Curious about how to find liens on a property? There are three main ways to go about it. Each one has its own pros, cons and fee structure.
Search Local Records
Since liens are publicly recorded, searching for them is pretty straightforward. You can begin by checking with your county recorder's office, which should maintain local real estate records. That includes active liens and property transactions. Your county clerk's office can be another helpful resource. Either one will likely have a free online search tool, but you might have to create an account to access it. Some counties may charge a fee if you request a copy of the lien report.
Use a Title Search Company
A title search company can do the heavy lifting for you by documenting your property's chain of ownership. This is common practice when buying or selling a home, but you can also use a title search company to check for potential liens on a property you already own.
In some cases, they could find a lien that originated with a past owner. Knowing about it can help prevent unwanted roadblocks if you choose to sell your home in the future. Title search fees vary by county but usually range anywhere from $75 to $200.
Consider Online Search Tools
Third-party websites like PropertyChecker.com and PropertyShark allow you to search for liens by property address. This can be a convenient and fast option. You'll likely have a report in minutes, but it could come at a nominal fee (a few dollars is standard). Some sites may allow one free report but charge you for any subsequent searches.
What to Do if There's a Lien on Your Property
No one wants to come across a lien on their property, but if it happens, there are simple ways to resolve it.
- Confirm the lien is accurate. You may stumble on an erroneous lien, like a lien that's connected to a debt you've already paid off. You can follow up with the creditor and have them sign something called a lien release to set things right. If you had title insurance when you purchased your home, your policy should protect you from any liens that weren't found during the initial title search.
- Make good on accurate property liens. If an unpaid debt has resulted in a lien on your property, reach out to the creditor to resolve the outstanding balance. In some cases, it may be possible to get on a payment plan or negotiate a lower, lump-sum payment. The lien should be removed once you satisfy the debt.
Learn more >> How to Negotiate With Debt Collectors
The Bottom Line
As a homeowner, you may want to research how to find liens on a property. Satisfying an existing lien can help avoid delays when you eventually sell your home. It can also alert you to outstanding debts in your name. While a property lien won't show up on your credit report, the outstanding debt it's connected to could drag down your credit score. The sooner you address delinquent accounts, the faster your credit score can improve. You can get your credit report and FICO® Score☉ for free from Experian to see where you stand.