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 Florida, a lien is a legal claim against property to secure payment for 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 if they have not been paid for work performed or materials provided. Florida law requires that a mechanic's lien be filed within 90 days of the last day of providing labor, services, or materials, and a lawsuit to enforce the lien must be initiated within one year from the lien's filing date. Homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Florida also have the right to place liens on properties within their communities for unpaid dues or assessments. These liens can be foreclosed upon if the homeowner fails to pay the outstanding amounts. The specific procedures and requirements for filing and enforcing liens are detailed in Florida's statutes, particularly in Chapter 713 of the Florida Statutes for construction liens and the relevant sections of the Florida Statutes governing HOAs for association-related liens.