Does a claimant who did not contract with the owner have to give notice?

Yes. A person who has not contracted directly with the owner, the owner's agent, or the lessee must give written notice of the intention to hold the property liable within seventy-five (75) days on claims of less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and one hundred twenty (120) days on claims in excess of that amount, after the last item of material or labor is furnished.

Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Kentucky

Kentucky mechanics' and materialman's liens require a filed lien statement within six months after the claimant ceases to labor or furnish materials and an enforcement action within twelve months of that filing.

By Savallio Editorial

Kentucky's mechanics' and materialman's lien remedy is set out in KRS Chapter 376. A claimant who performs labor or furnishes materials for improvements to real property may obtain a lien, but the lien is dissolved unless a sworn statement is filed with the county clerk within the statutory period and an enforcement action is brought within the period that follows. Claimants who did not contract directly with the owner must also give the owner written notice of their intention to hold the property liable. The claims below quote the triggering events and time periods directly from the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

Filing and enforcing a mechanics lien in Kentucky

For an owner-occupied single or double family dwelling, a person who has not contracted directly with the owner or the owner's authorized agent must give written notice not more than seventy-five (75) days after the last item of material or labor is furnished. ¹

The lien is dissolved unless the claimant, within six (6) months after he ceases to labor or furnish materials, files a statement of the amount due in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the building or improvement is situated. ²

The claimant shall send by regular mail a copy of the statement to the property owner at his last known address within seven (7) days of filing the statement with the county clerk. ²

The lien is deemed dissolved unless an action is brought to enforce the lien within twelve (12) months from the day of filing the statement in the clerk's office. ³

A lien shall not be for a greater amount in the aggregate than the contract price of the original contractor. ¹

Sources

On an owner-occupied single or double family dwelling, a person who has not contracted directly with the owner or the owner's authorized agent must give written notice not more than seventy-five (75) days after the last item of material or labor is furnished.
A lien shall not be for a greater amount in the aggregate than the contract price of the original contractor.
KRS 376.010KRS 376.010 Mechanics' and materialman's liens -- Filing of statement of amount claimed -- Extent of lien -- Notice to owner, agent, or lesseeVerified 8.4.26a b
A lien is dissolved unless the claimant, within six (6) months after he ceases to labor or furnish materials, files a statement of the amount due in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the building or improvement is situated.
The claimant shall send by regular mail a copy of the statement to the property owner at his last known address within seven (7) days of filing the statement with the county clerk.
KRS 376.080KRS 376.080 Lien dissolved unless statement filed with county clerk and copy mailed to property owner -- Form of statementVerified 8.4.26a b
A lien is deemed dissolved unless an action is brought to enforce the lien within twelve (12) months from the day of filing the statement in the clerk's office.
KRS 376.090KRS 376.090 Limitation on action to enforce lien -- Priority of lienVerified 8.4.26↑

Frequently asked questions

When must a mechanics lien statement be filed in Kentucky?: The lien is dissolved unless the claimant files a statement of the amount due with the county clerk of the county in which the building or improvement is situated within six (6) months after he ceases to labor or furnish materials.
How long is there to enforce a Kentucky mechanics lien?: An action to enforce the lien must be brought within twelve (12) months from the day of filing the statement in the clerk's office, or the lien is deemed dissolved.
Does a claimant who did not contract with the owner have to give notice?: Yes. A person who has not contracted directly with the owner, the owner's agent, or the lessee must give written notice of the intention to hold the property liable within seventy-five (75) days on claims of less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and one hundred twenty (120) days on claims in excess of that amount, after the last item of material or labor is furnished.

Last reviewed 8.4.26

This page is general information about state law, not legal advice. Laws change, and how they apply depends on the facts of your situation.