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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, a mechanics lien lasts 120 days after the services or materials are furnished and is secured by a court attachment of the property within that time, and subcontractors must give the owner written notice to claim a lien.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

New Hampshire at a glance

Deadline to record lien
120 days, secured by attachment
There is no separate recorded lien claim: the lien is secured by attaching the property in a lawsuit while it lasts.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (subcontractors)
Notice should come before the work; notice given later protects only amounts then or later due to the contractor.
Deadline to enforce lien
120 days after last work (by attachment)
The writ and return must state that the attachment secures the lien.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in New Hampshire

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in New Hampshire?

Deadline to record lien in New Hampshire: 120 days, secured by attachment. There is no separate recorded lien claim: the lien is secured by attaching the property in a lawsuit while it lasts.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in New Hampshire?

Yes in some cases (subcontractors). Preliminary notice required in New Hampshire: yes in some cases (subcontractors). Notice should come before the work; notice given later protects only amounts then or later due to the contractor.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in New Hampshire?

Deadline to enforce lien in New Hampshire: 120 days after last work (by attachment). The writ and return must state that the attachment secures the lien.

Where do the New Hampshire mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from RSA 447:9, RSA 447:10, RSA 447:5 and RSA 447:6. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines often differ by role. The period for a general contractor who dealt directly with the owner can be different from the period for a subcontractor or supplier, and residential projects can have their own rules. Check which category fits before relying on a single number.

The event that starts the clock matters as much as the length of the period. Depending on the statute, it can be the last day labor or materials were furnished, completion of the project, or the recording of a notice of completion or commencement by the owner. Keeping dated records of the last work performed helps establish the start date.

Recording a lien is not the end of the process. If the debt is not paid, the claimant generally has to file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within the enforcement period, or the lien expires. When the debt is paid, the owner will usually want a signed lien release recorded so the title is clear.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.