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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, a notice of intention must be mailed and recorded within 200 days after the work or materials were furnished, contractors hired directly by the owner (other than material suppliers) must give a notice of possible mechanic's lien before starting work, and a complaint to enforce plus a lis pendens must be filed within 40 days after recording the notice of intention.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Rhode Island at a glance

Deadline to record lien
200 days
The notice of intention may be given before or within 200 days after the work or materials were furnished.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (contractors hired by the owner)
A notice of possible mechanic's lien must be in the contract or sent by certified mail before work starts. Material suppliers and those not contracting directly with the owner are not covered.
Deadline to enforce lien
40 days after recording the notice of intention
Both the complaint and the notice of lis pendens must be filed within the 40 days.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Rhode Island

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in Rhode Island?

Deadline to record lien in Rhode Island: 200 days. The notice of intention may be given before or within 200 days after the work or materials were furnished.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in Rhode Island?

Yes in some cases (contractors hired by the owner). Preliminary notice required in Rhode Island: yes in some cases (contractors hired by the owner). A notice of possible mechanic's lien must be in the contract or sent by certified mail before work starts. Material suppliers and those not contracting directly with the owner are not covered.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in Rhode Island?

Deadline to enforce lien in Rhode Island: 40 days after recording the notice of intention. Both the complaint and the notice of lis pendens must be filed within the 40 days.

Where do the Rhode Island mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-4, R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-4.1 and R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-10. 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.