New York Real Estate Institute (NYREI) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A mechanic's lien is a legal claim against a property that can be filed by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers who have not been paid for work performed or materials supplied in relation to the property. In New York, a mechanic's lien generally expires one year after it has been filed unless legal action is taken to enforce it. This one-year time frame is critical as it serves to protect property owners from having indefinite claims against their property for unpaid services.

The reason this lien has a specific expiration period is to ensure that property owners have a clear understanding of their obligations and to encourage prompt resolution of disputes related to payment for work done. It also helps maintain the integrity of property ownership and transferability by preventing lingering claims from affecting a property long term if they are not actively pursued.

Other types of liens, such as judgment liens, mortgage liens, and property tax liens, follow different rules and time frames regarding expiration or enforcement, which is why they are not subject to the same one-year expiration as mechanic's liens.