Can Someone Put a Lien on My House Without Me Knowing?

Cindy Ellis - February 26, 2025

When a lien is placed on your property, you may or may not be notified. Additionally, notification rules depend on state regulations and the type of lien that is being issued. That being said, it is important to understand when liens are placed on your property and if there are any outstanding liens on your property, as failing to pay off a loan or settle a court case that resulted in a lien can lead to you losing your home. 

Our article tells you more about liens and whether or not someone can place a lien on your house without you knowing.

What Is a Lien?

A lien is a legal claim to a property. These can occur due to mortgages, loans that use your home as collateral, or as part of a lawsuit or judgment against you. The party who places a lien on your home has the right to use your home to fulfill any debt or financial obligation that you owe to them. This could mean foreclosure and losing your home if you fail to settle a court case or appropriately handle your debts.

Why Would a Lien Be Put on My House?

Liens are generally placed on your home to give a lender or a collection agency a claim to your property. Your home will then be used as collateral, and you must fulfill your financial obligations and resolve your debts to ensure that your home is not foreclosed upon and that you don’t have to find a different place to live. Additionally,  depending on the circumstances of the lien, you may or may not be notified when a lien is placed on your house.

Can Someone Put a Lien on My House Without Me Knowing?

While it is not likely that you will randomly encounter a lien being placed on your house, there are a few different situations where a lien may be placed on your home, with or without your knowledge.

Voluntary liens are liens that are placed on your house with your knowledge. These liens occur from taking out loans from banks or using your house as collateral in any other kind of lending situation. With a voluntary lien, you enter into the agreement with the understanding that your house will have a lien placed on it and that this lien will stay in place until you pay off the loan or fulfill your financial obligations.

Involuntary liens are liens that you may not know about, as these typically result from lawsuits and judgments that are being filed against you. This can happen if you have too many debts and a collection agency files a case against you in court, causing a lien to be placed on your home. It may also occur if you have missed too many payments, and a lender happens to place a lien on your home until you fulfill the rest of your financial obligations.

States do have differing rules about notifying homeowners when liens are placed on their homes, and you may be notified through certified mail, publications, and newspapers or through notifications of foreclosure. It’s important to understand the rules and regulations surrounding lien notification in your state and to check if there is a lien on your house regularly.

What Happens When Someone Puts a Lien on My Home?

When someone puts a lien on your home, it means that they have a claim on your property. Generally, this happens when you take out a loan or use your house as collateral for any other kind of lending situation. Failing to fulfill your financial obligations can result in your home being foreclosed upon and you being forced out of your home. 

It is important always to be aware of liens on your home and to pay any debts that may use your home as collateral to avoid losing your home to a collection agency or other lender.

How Can I Figure Out If There Is a Lien On My House?

If you want to make sure whether or not there is a lien on your house, there are a few different places you can research this information. As you look up this information, you can discover if there are any liens on your home that you don’t know about that need to be settled. 

Staying aware of this type of knowledge can help you preserve your home and pay off any debts to protect your credit score.

Ask a Title Company

A title company is a third-party company that works for both buyers and sellers of properties. Title companies keep records of any property titles and liens that are placed on a property, and you can contact a local title company to inquire about your property. 

You will need to give the title company your address, and you may also need to pay a small fee to access this information. However, title companies can be very effective and efficient in telling you conclusively whether or not there are liens placed on your home.

Visit Your Local Courthouse

Local courthouses generally have property records, including records of liens that have been filed on certain properties. You can visit the local courthouse and the jurisdiction where your property is located, or you can visit the County Clerk or Records office in your area. 

You can speak to staff members at either of these locations to understand how to find property records and liens that may have been placed on your property.

Research Property Records Online

Sometimes, details about property liens and claims to your property, in addition to details of your credit score, are available online. This is because some states consider this information public record, and you will be able to find it by looking up your property’s address in an address search tool. 

If an address search tool does not work for you, you may also be able to type the address of your property into an internet browser like Google to see the property’s information and if there are any details about liens placed on your property online.

How Do I Remove a Lien From My Home?

In the case of most voluntary liens and some involuntary liens, the best way to remove and resolve the lien is by paying it off. This means that if you owe any debt or if the lien is a result of a loan you have taken out, you will need to pay off the full amount. This stops the lien on your home and the lender’s claim to your property.

Keep in mind that in the case of some involuntary liens that are placed by debt collectors or as a result of a lawsuit, you may need to finalize a court case and pay additional fees plus the original amount of the lien or loan that you borrowed. Once final judgments have been made in a court case and you have paid off the total lien amount plus any extra fees, the lien will generally be removed from your home. A lawyer can help you navigate this process if you have questions.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Help Me With a Lien On My Home?

If you are dealing with an involuntary lien on your home or you were not properly notified of a lien placed on your home, you may need the assistance of a lawyer. A legal professional who specializes in property law in your jurisdiction can help you navigate the process of resolving a lien and understanding what your rights are.

In the case of a voluntary lien, you can resolve this yourself by understanding the terms of the lien and the deadline for repayment that the lender sets. However, if you have any questions about these terms or the resolution process, you may need to contact the lender directly or reach out to a lawyer.

Resolving Liens On Your Home

Dealing with a lien placed on your home, either voluntarily or involuntarily, can be a stressful situation. You no doubt want to resolve any lien placed on your home as quickly as possible, allowing you to return to your normal way of life. 

We recommend using the methods in our article to search if there is a lien placed on your home and contacting a legal professional in your jurisdiction who specializes in property liens if you need further advice.