A lien (pronounced lean) is a legal right, claim, or interest in another person’s property that remains until a debt is paid or an obligation is fulfilled. For example, a lien may be placed on real property to secure a contractor’s claim for payment for work or materials provided to improve the property (a mechanic’s lien) or by a homeowners’ association to secure payment for unpaid dues or assessments against an individual homeowner.

There are many different types of liens related to real property and the laws regarding these liens may vary from state to state.

In Arizona, a lien is a legal claim against property to secure payment of a debt or fulfillment of an obligation. One common type of lien is a mechanic's lien, which contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers can file against a property they have worked on or supplied materials for, to ensure they are paid for their services or materials. To enforce a mechanic's lien, the claimant must follow specific procedures, including timely recording a notice of the lien with the county recorder's office and potentially filing a lawsuit to foreclose on the lien if the debt is not paid. Homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Arizona also have the right to place liens on properties within their communities for unpaid assessments or dues. These liens can lead to foreclosure if the homeowner does not pay the outstanding amounts. Arizona state statutes provide detailed regulations on how liens are to be filed, the time frames for enforcing them, and the notices required to be given to property owners. It is important for property owners and those seeking to place a lien to understand these regulations to ensure that their rights are protected.