“Levelset takes something that is pretty complex and makes it easy.”
Not sure? Calculate your deadline for free.
General contractors in Mississippi do not necessarily need to provide a traditional preliminary notice. But they may need to provide a list of subcontractors, if requested by owner. However, sending a Mississippi preliminary notice is best practice on every project.
The deadline to file a Mississippi mechanics lien is 90 days from the last date the claimant provided labor and/or materials to the project.
An action to enforce a Mississippi mechanics lien must be initiated within 180 days from date on which the lien was filed. This deadline may not be extended, and missing the deadline will render the lien unenforceable.
Sub-subcontractors must provide a Mississippi preliminary notice to the general contractor (or to the owner if no GC exists) within 30 days of first furnishing labor and or materials to the project.
On single-family residential projects only, all parties who did not contract directly with the property owner must provide the owner with a “pre-lien written notice” (notice of intent to lien) at least 10 days prior to filing a claim of lien.
The deadline to file a Mississippi mechanics lien is 90 days from the last date the claimant provided labor and/or materials to the project.
An action to enforce a Mississippi mechanics lien must be initiated within 180 days from date on which the lien was filed. This deadline may not be extended, and missing the deadline will render the lien unenforceable.
Suppliers that do not contract with the owner or GC must provide a Mississippi preliminary notice to the general contractor (or to the owner if no GC exists) within 30 days of first furnishing labor and or materials to the project.
On single-family residential projects only, all parties who did not contract directly with the property owner must provide the owner with a “pre-lien written notice” (notice of intent to lien) at least 10 days prior to filing a claim of lien.
The deadline to file a Mississippi mechanics lien is 90 days from the last date the claimant provided labor and/or materials to the project.
An action to enforce a Mississippi mechanics lien must be initiated within 180 days from date on which the lien was filed. This deadline may not be extended, and missing the deadline will render the lien unenforceable.
In Mississippi, mechanic’s liens rights are afforded to contractors, subcontractors and materialmen furnishing material for the improvement of real estate; as well as registered architects or professional engineers furnishing plans, drawings, designs, or other architectural or engineering services on or with respect to any real estate; and registered land surveyors performing or furnishing services on or with respect to any real estate. However, this these lien rights are limited to 1st and 2nd-tier subcontractors and suppliers are protected.
Finally, note that if there’s a payment bond on the project, a claimant will need to look to the bond for protection. More on that here: New Legislation Allows Payment Bonds on Mississippi Private Projects.
Generally, a written contract isn’t required in Mississippi to be able to file a mechanics lien. However, its always a good idea to get a contract in writing at the outset of each and every construction project.
• Dive deeper: Can a Contractor File a Lien Without a Written Contract?
No, under Mississippi law, if the work being performed requires a license, and the contractor lacks the requisite license, that party will not be able to file a mechanics lien. Furthermore, lien rights will not be afforded to any contractor or sub who contracts with any contractor or sub who is not licensed as required.
The same applies to architects, engineers, and land surveyors, who must be registered in order to have lien rights.
• Learn how to get licensed: Mississippi Contractor Licensing Guide
In Mississippi, the deadline a Claim of Lien is no later than 90 days after the date on which the lien claimant last furnished labor and/or materials to the project.
The form and content of a Mississippi mechanics lien claim is governed by Miss. Code §85-7-405, and should contain all of the following information:
• Claimant’s information;
• Amount claimed;
• Owner’s information;
• Property description;
• Last date of furnishing labor and/or materials; &
• Required statutory notice language:
THIS CLAIM OF LIEN EXPIRES AND IS VOID ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF FILING OF THE CLAIM OF LIEN IF A PAYMENT ACTION IS NOT FILED BY THE CLAIMANT WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD.
NOTICE TO OWNER OF PROPERTY: You have the right to contest this claim of lien pursuant to Mississippi law.
No. While a legal property description is always the most accurate way of identifying the property to be liened, Mississippi does not specifically require a legal description of the property.
Generally, no. A Mississippi mechanics lien amount is limited to the amount due and owing the lien claimant under the terms of its contract. However, the court has the discretion to award costs and attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in a lien enforcement action, and will include interest.
• Learn more: Why you need to be careful estimating lien amounts
No. Mississippi does not require that the Claim of Lien be notarized in order to be valid and accepted for recording.
Mississippi mechanics lien claims are documents recorded with the clerk of the county chancery court. For your mechanics lien to be valid, you must record it in the county where the job is physically located. Mississippi counties each have their own unique rules and requirements.
To help you, we’ve assembled all of the offices in Mississippi that record mechanics liens. These pages will walk you through the county’s specific formatting requirements, deadlines, fees, process to file, and answers to frequently asked questions.
• Learn more: Essential Questions to Ask The County Recorder Before Filing a Lien
There are a lot of questions on this page about who can file a Mississippi mechanics lien, when it must be filed, what types of rules apply, and more. But you may be wondering something much more practical: how do I actually get my mechanics lien recorded and filed?
• For a full breakdown of the process, you may want to consult: How to File a Mississippi Mechanics Lien: A Step-by-Step Guide
Yes. Mississippi requires that a lien claimant send notice that a lien has been filed. The claim of lien must include a warning statement to the property owner and a copy of the lien claim must be sent to the property owner via registered or certified mail, or statutory overnight delivery.
If the owner’s address cannot be found, the lien may be sent to the general contractor instead. Further, if the lien claimant is not the general contractor, a copy of the lien must also be sent to the general contractor.
An action to enforce a mechanics lien in Mississippi must be initiated within 180 days from the date the lien was filed.
However, a property owner or general contractor may elect to shorten the time period in which an enforcement action must be initiated by recording a notice of contest of lien in the chancery clerk’s office and delivering a copy of the same to the lien claimant. Properly given, this notice shortens the time in which an enforcement action must be filed to 90 days from the filing of the notice.
It depends. Generally, on most projects, Mississippi lien claims will secure the full unpaid amount to the claimant.
However, on single-family, residential projects, subcontractor and supplier liens are limited to the unpaid balance due to the general contractor at the time the pre-lien notice is served on the property owner.
• Dive deeper: Full Price vs. Unpaid Balance Lien States
Mississippi generally follows the first-in-time first-in-right rule. Mississippi mechanics liens have priority over other liens or encumbrances filed after the date on which the mechanics lien was filed. However, mechanics liens are subordinate to tax liens, irrespective of date.
• Learn more: Lien Priority | What Happens When Everybody Wants a Piece of the Same Pie?
When a Mississippi lien has been fully satisfied, the lien holder must file a cancellation of the lien. If the lien claimant fails to do so within 15 days after receiving a written demand, the claimant is liable for an amount not less than $500 per day that the required cancellation is not timely filed – plus attorney’s fees and costs.
This is a feature of the new Mississippi mechanics lien law that is designed to protect property records against inappropriate liens. It is very important for claimants to act fast to release and cancel their mechanics lien claims after they have been satisfied, as we discussed in this article: Get Paid? Better File A Mississippi Lien Release.
→ Download a free Mississippi Mechanics Lien Release Form here
Yes, under Missisippi's lien laws, "no lien shall exist in faovr of any contractor or subcontractor who is not licensed as required..." Therefore, if a license isn't required by the MS State Board of Contractors to perform the work in question, than a license isn't required to be able to file a lien to secure payment.
Here are some resources you may find helpful:
If you're looking to file a Mississippi mechanics lien, then this article will help: How to File a Mississippi Mechanics Lien | A Step-by-Step Guide. And, for additional background on Mississippi liens, this page will be useful as well: Mississippi Mechanics Lien Guide and FAQs.
Further, keep in mind that the mere threat of a lien claim may be enough to get paid since mechanics liens are such a powerfull tool. Further discussion here: What is A Notice of Intent to Lien And Should I Send One?
Finally, keep in mind that there are services out there - including Levelset - who can help with lien filings. To explore that option: Get Started on Your Mississippi Lien | Levelset.
In our Guide to Filing a Mississippi Mechanics Lien, we will walk you through each step required to qualify for and file a mechanics lien in Mississippi. We’ll show you the notices you need to send, the information required on Mississippi’s mechanics lien form, and essential tips about delivering it to the county recorder’s office.
Download a blank Mississippi mechanics lien form to use when filing a claim. Our free forms were created by construction attorneys to meet the requirements in Mississippi’s mechanics lien laws. The state statutes are very specific about the language and formatting required in a lien claim document. We make it easy to get this part right.
This part can get tricky; making a mistake on the form could invalidate your Mississippi lien claim. All of the details you provide be 100% accurate, including the legal names of each party, the property location, and the claim amount. Review every detail carefully.
File your completed form with the recorder’s office in the county where the property is located, and pay the recording fee. View a full list of Mississippi recorder’s offices to find contact information, fees, and filing requirements.
A mechanics lien doesn’t last forever in Mississippi. If you get paid, you’ll need to discharge or release your lien, or be subject to penalties. If you don’t get paid, you may need to enforce it. You must file an enforcement action before the deadline expires.
The provisions of the Mississippi statutes that permit the filing of mechanics liens and materialman’s liens can be found in Mississippi’s Construction Lien Law, Miss. Code Ann. § 85-7-401 et. seq. The full text of the Mississippi Mechanics Lien Law is provided below. Updated as of May 2023.
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) “Business day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
(b) “Contractor” means a contractor having privity of contract with the owner or lessee of the real estate.
(c) “Lien action” means a civil action against the owner of improved property to perfect and make permanent the lien created by Section 85-7-403.
(d) “Payment action” means a lawsuit, proof of claim in a bankruptcy case, or a binding arbitration.
(e) “Professional surveyor” has the meaning given in Section 73-13-71.
(f) “Materials” means materials, tools, appliances, machinery, or equipment used in making improvements to the real estate.
(g) “Materialmen” or “materialman” means all persons furnishing the materials, tools, appliances, machinery, or equipment included in the definition of materials to a contractor or to a subcontractor in privity with the contractor.
(h) “Professional engineer” has the meaning given in Section 73-13-3.
(i) “Residential property” means single-family and two-family, three-family, and four-family residential real estate.
(j) “Statutory overnight delivery” means delivery of a document through the United States Postal Service or through a commercial firm that is regularly engaged in the business of document delivery or document and package delivery in which the sender:
(i) Has directed that delivery be not later than the next business day following the day on which the document is received for delivery by the United States Postal Service or the commercial firm; and
(ii) Receives a receipt acknowledging receipt of the document signed by addressee or an agent of the addressee.
(k) “Subcontractor” means subcontractors having privity of contract with the contractor; “subcontractor” also means subcontractors having privity of contract with a subcontractor having privity of contract with the contractor.
(l) “Registered architect” has the meaning given in Section 73-1-3.
(m) “Design professional” includes professional surveyors, professional engineers and registered architects.
(1) The following persons shall each have a special lien on the real estate or other property for which they furnish labor, services or materials:
(a) All contractors, all subcontractors and all materialmen furnishing material for the improvement of real estate;
(b) All registered architects or professional engineers furnishing plans, drawings, designs, or other architectural or engineering services on or with respect to any real estate;
(c) All registered land surveyors performing or furnishing services on or with respect to any real estate.
(2) Each special lien specified in subsection (1) of this section may attach to the real estate of the owner for which the labor, services or materials are furnished if they are furnished at the instance of the owner, design professional or contractor or a subcontractor having direct privity of contract with a contractor, and shall include the value of work done and labor, services or materials furnished.
(3) Each special lien specified in subsection (1) of this section shall be limited to the amount due and owing the lien claimant under the terms of its express or oral contract, subcontract or purchase order subject to Section 85-7-405(4).
(4) Each special lien specified in subsection (1) of this section shall include interest on the principal amount due in accordance with Section 75-17-1, 75-17-7 or 75-17-19 as applicable by law.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, no lien shall exist in favor of any contractor or subcontractor who is not licensed as required by either Section 31-3-1 et seq., or Section 73-59-1 et seq., or who contracts with any contractor or subcontractor who is not licensed as required. Upon request, any contractor or subcontractor is required to provide any owner, contractor, subcontractor or materialman a copy of that person’s current license.
(1) To make good a lien created in Section 85-7-403(1), it must be created and declared in accordance with the following provisions, and on failure of any of them the lien shall not be effective or enforceable:
(a) A substantial compliance by the party claiming the lien with the party’s contract, subcontract or purchase order for work performed or labor, services or material provided in the building, repairing, or improving of real estate; for architectural services furnished; for registered land surveying or registered professional engineering services furnished or performed; or for materials or machinery furnished;
(b) The filing for record of the claim of lien in the office of the clerk of the chancery court of the county where the property is located within ninety (90) days after the claimant’s last work performed, labor, services or materials provided, the furnishing of architectural services, or the furnishing or performing of surveying or engineering services. The lien shall include a statement regarding its expiration pursuant to Section 85-7-421(1) and a notice to the owner of the property on which a claim of lien is filed that the owner has the right to contest the lien; the absence of the statement or notice shall invalidate the lien. The claim shall be in substance as follows:
“A.B., a mechanic, contractor, subcontractor, materialman, machinist, manufacturer, registered architect, registered forester, registered land surveyor, registered professional engineer, or other person (as the case may be) claims a lien in the amount of (specify the amount claimed) on the building, structure, house, factory, mill, machinery, or railroad (as the case may be) and the premises or real estate on which it is erected or built, of C.D. (describing the houses, premises, real estate, or railroad), for satisfaction of a claim which became due on (specify the date the claim was due, which is the same as the last date the labor, services or materials were supplied to the premises) for work performed or labor, services provided (or whatever the claim may be).
THIS CLAIM OF LIEN EXPIRES AND IS VOID ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF FILING OF THE CLAIM OF LIEN IF A PAYMENT ACTION IS NOT FILED BY THE CLAIMANT WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD.
NOTICE TO OWNER OF PROPERTY: You have the right to contest this claim of lien pursuant to Mississippi law.”
No later than two (2) business days after the claim of lien is filed of record, the lien claimant shall send a true and accurate copy of the claim of lien by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the owner of the property or, if the owner’s address cannot be found, the contractor, as the agent of the owner; if the property owner is an entity on file with the Secretary of State’s office, sending a copy of the claim of lien to the entity’s address or the registered agent’s address shall satisfy this requirement. If the lien claimant is not the contractor, he shall also send a copy of the claim of lien within two (2) business days by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the contractor or to the contractor’s registered agent.
(c)
(i) A payment action for the recovery of the amount of the lien claimant’s claim against the party he contracted with shall be commenced in county, circuit or chancery court within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of filing for record of the lien claimant’s claim of lien. A lis pendens notice shall be filed with the commencement of the action with a copy to the owner and contractor;
(ii) The payment action shall be commenced by summons and complaint. The defendants shall be summoned, as in other actions at law, to appear and defend the action; and in case any necessary party defendant shall be a nonresident of or absent from the state, or cannot be found, he may be made a party by publication, as in cases of nonresident or absent defendants in chancery, requiring him to appear on a day to be therein named; and in default of appearance, the same proceedings shall be had as if the defendant had been duly summoned and made default;
(iii) Nothing in this paragraph (c) shall prejudice the parties’ contractual rights to arbitration, as applicable;
(d)
(i) The commencement of a payment action under paragraph (c) is not required if the owner has not made payment to the contractor and the lien claimant cannot secure a final judgment against the party with whom the lien claimant contracted because:
1. The party has been adjudicated a bankrupt;
2. If an individual, the party is deceased; or
3. Payment is not due to the lien claimant under the applicable contract agreement until after payment is received by the party with whom the lien claimant contracted.
(ii) If paragraph (d) (i) of this section applies, the person or persons furnishing labor, services or materials may enforce the lien directly against the property in a lien action against the owner if it is filed within the required time for filing a payment action, with the judgment rendered in the proceeding to be limited to a judgment in rem against the property improved and to impose no personal liability upon the owner of the property. A lis pendens notice shall be filed with the commencement of this lien action with a copy to the owner and the contractor.
(iii) Nothing in this paragraph (d) shall impact or negate the rights and defenses available pursuant to Section 85-7-413 or 85-7-419.
(e) A claim of lien may be amended at any time to increase or reduce the amount claimed, and the amended claim of lien shall relate back to the date of filing for record of the original claim of lien. An amended claim of lien filed for record pursuant to this subsection shall be sent to the owner of the property in the same manner as required for a claim of lien in subsection (1)(b) of this section and shall be in substance as follows:
“That certain claim of lien filed by A.B. against property of C.D. on (date) and recorded at book (book#), page (page#) in the lien index of (name of county) County is hereby amended by increasing/reducing (cross out one) the amount of the claim of lien to (specify reduced amount claimed). The remaining terms of the original claim of lien are hereby incorporated by reference into this amended claim of lien. This amended claim of lien relates back to the date that the original claim of lien was filed for record.”
(2)
(a) The liens specified in Section 85-7-403 (“construction liens”) shall be inferior to liens for taxes, but construction liens shall be superior in priority to all other liens except as specified in subsection (2)(b) and (c).
(b) Except as provided in subsection (2)(c), a construction lien shall have priority over all other liens, deeds of trust, mortgages or encumbrances filed after the date and time of the filing of the notice of lien in the office of the chancery clerk of the county in which the land is located. All liens, deeds of trust, mortgages and encumbrances filed before the date and time of the filing of the notice of construction lien shall have priority over the construction lien, whether the work secured by the lien was performed before or after the filing of the lien, deed of trust, mortgage or other encumbrance. This priority will extend to amendments or restatements and assignments of the lien, deed of trust, mortgage and other encumbrance. The priorities in this subsection are determined by the date and time of filing and without regard to the actual knowledge of the parties of unrecorded liens. Enforcement of a construction lien shall not affect any prior deeds of trust or other liens, and a purchaser, in connection with the enforcement of a construction lien, shall take the property subject to any prior liens, deeds of trust, mortgages or encumbrances of which the purchaser has actual or constructive notice on the date of the purchase. Foreclosure of any prior deeds of trust or other liens shall terminate and extinguish the subordinate construction lien or other interest as to the land and the buildings and improvements thereon, whether or not at the time of the foreclosure the construction lien or interest has been perfected in accordance with the provisions of this article, and the subordinate lienholder shall have the rights in any excess proceeds received by the foreclosing lienholder as provided by law.
(c) A deed of trust, mortgage, assignment of leases and rents, fixture filing or other security agreement affecting real property is a construction mortgage to the extent it secures a loan or loans for the purpose of financing the repair or construction of an improvement on the real property, which may include the acquisition cost of the real property. A construction lien is subordinate to a construction mortgage if the construction mortgage is filed in the land records before a notice of a claim of lien is filed pursuant to Section 85-7-405 and the lender, secured party, mortgagee, beneficiary or holder of the construction mortgage obtained either:
(i) an affidavit or sworn statement from the owner to the effect that no work has been performed on, or materials delivered to, the real property; or
(ii) an affidavit or sworn statement from the contractor, or owner if there is no contractor, as provided in Section 85-7-413(1) (b) regarding payment for work, materials or services provided. A construction mortgage has this priority for all loan advances secured thereby regardless of whether the advances are made before or after the filing of a notice of a construction lien, and this priority will extend to amendments, restatements and refinancings of the construction mortgage.
(3)
(a) Following compliance with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, in any proceeding against the owner to enforce a lien created by Section 85-7-403 against the property, the party having a direct contractual relationship with the lien claimant shall not be a necessary party, but may be made a party. The design professional, contractor or subcontractor, or all of them, may intervene in the proceedings at any time before judgment for the purpose of resisting the establishment of the lien or of asserting against the lien claimant any claim of the contractor or subcontractor growing out of or related to the contract, subcontract or purchase order upon which the asserted lien is based.
(b) Any party to an action against the owner to enforce a lien against the property, by appropriate plea, may put in issue the fact of indebtedness or the existence of the lien, or both, and may interpose any other defense or join any counterclaim applicable to the action; and if the court by its finding, or the jury by their verdict, as the case may be, ascertain that the plaintiff has a lien as claimed, judgment shall be entered for the amount secured thereby, plus interest and costs, against the party liable for the same.
(c) The court, in its discretion, may award reasonable costs, interest and attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in an action against the owner to enforce a lien against the property.
(d) All liens arising under Section 85-7-403 shall have an equal priority, and be first paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the property, or money collected from the owner; and if the proceeds and money are insufficient to satisfy the liens in full, the proceeds and money shall be distributed pro rata among the claimants thereof or as otherwise ordered by the court.
(4) In no event shall the aggregate amount of liens created by Section 85-7-403 exceed the contract price as determined by the terms of the contract or other agreement between the owner and contractor for the improvements made or services performed.
(5)
(a) If payments have been made in reliance upon either lien waivers issued by lien claimants pursuant to Section 85-7-413(1) (a) or sworn written statements of the contractor pursuant to Section 85-7-413(1) (b), the aggregate amount of liens created by Section 85-7-403 in favor of subcontractors and materialmen who are not in privity of contract with the owner shall not exceed the unpaid balance of the contract price under the terms of the contract or agreement between the owner and the contractor at the time the first notice of lien is filed pursuant to this section.
(b) If payments have been made in reliance upon either lien waivers issued by lien claimants pursuant to Section 85-7-413(1) (a) or sworn written statements of the contractor pursuant to Section 85-7-413(1) (b), the aggregate amount of liens created by Section 85-7-403 in favor of design professionals who are not in privity of contract with the owner shall not exceed the unpaid balance of the contract price under the terms of the contract or agreement between the owner and the design professional who is in privity of contract with the owner at the time the first notice of lien is filed pursuant to this section.
(1) Upon the written request of the property owner by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, the contractor shall furnish to the owner a complete list of all subcontractors and materialmen and upon written request from the contractor, all subcontractors shall provide the same information. If the contractor or subcontractor willfully fails or refuses to furnish the list or to give the information to the owner or contractor within a reasonable time, he shall thereby forfeit his right to a lien under this article. Similarly, if the contractor or subcontractor fails to pay any materialman or subcontractor in direct privity with him in accordance with any contract, subcontract or purchase order specifically requiring him to do so, he shall thereby forfeit his right to a lien under this article.
(2) For any person having a right to a lien pursuant to Section 85-7-403 who does not have privity of contract with the contractor, or, if there is no contractor, with the owner, and is providing labor, services or materials for the improvement of property, within thirty (30) days following the first delivery of labor, services or materials to the property, the person shall give a written notice to the contractor, or, if there is no contractor, to the owner, either by e-mail with a confirmed receipt, registered or certified mail, or statutory overnight delivery setting forth the following:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the person providing labor, services or materials;
(b) The name and address of each person at whose instance the labor, services or materials are being furnished;
(c) The name of the project and location of the project to which labor, services or materials are provided; and
(d) A description of the labor, services or materials being provided and, if known, the contract price or anticipated value of the labor, services or materials to be provided.
If the person not in privity of contract with the contractor fails to provide the required notice to the contractor, he shall thereby forfeit his right to a lien under this article.
(3) When a claimant is requested to execute a waiver and release in exchange for or to induce the making of an interim or final payment in accordance with Section 85-7-419(2) or (3), and does so, if payment is made pursuant to the waiver and release and the design professional, contractor or subcontractor, without good cause, in turn willfully fails or refuses to pay the claimant the amount claimed as set forth in the waiver and release, then the design professional, contractor or subcontractor, as the case may be, shall be liable to the claimant in the amount of three (3) times the amount claimed on the face of the waiver and release. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, any defense available pursuant to the terms of the applicable contract, subcontract or purchase order.
(4) The provisions of this section do not apply to single-family residential construction.
(1) As to single-family residential construction only, payment made by or on behalf of the owner to a contractor or design professional in privity with the owner, for the work of a subcontractor, materialman, professional engineer or professional surveyor, shall be an absolute defense to any claim of lien made by the subcontractor, materialman, professional engineer or professional surveyor, (a) but only to the extent of the payment actually made by or on behalf of the owner to the contractor or design professional in privity with the owner, and (b) only to the extent the owner has not received a pre-lien notice in accordance with subsection (2) of this section before the payment.
(2) As to single-family residential construction only, as a condition precedent of any right to a special lien under Section 85-7-403 in favor of a subcontractor, materialman or design professional not in privity with the owner, the claimant must provide the owner a pre-lien written notice at least ten (10) days before filing a claim of lien under Section 85-7-405, which can be evidenced by any reliable means of delivery.
(3) The claimant’s written notice required in subsection (2) shall be in substantially the same form as the Pre-Lien Notice set forth in Section 85-7-433(5).
(1)
(a) When the building or improvement is erected under or by virtue of any contract with a lessee in possession, and the erection thereof is not in violation of the terms or conditions of the lease, the lien shall attach to the building or improvement, and to the unexpired term of the lease, and the holder of the lien shall have the right to avoid a forfeiture of the lease by paying rent to the lessor, as it becomes due and payable, or by the performance of any other act or duty to which the lessee is bound.
(b) If the lien can be enforced by a sale of the building or improvement, the purchaser may, at his election, (i) become entitled to the possession of the demised premises, and to remain therein for the unexpired term, by paying rent to the lessor, or performing any other act or duty to which the lessee was bound, as if he were the assignee of the lease; or (ii) he may, within sixty (60) days after the sale, remove the building or improvement from the premises, but only to the extent that it is detachable from the real property without injury to the real property; and if he elects to take possession and to remain therein until the expiration of the term of the lease, he may, within a reasonable time after the expiration of the term, remove the building or improvement from the premises, but only to the extent that it is detachable from the real property without injury to the real property.
(c) If, before a sale, the holder of the lien has made any payments of rent, or other pecuniary compensation to the lessor, which ought to have been paid by the lessee, he shall be reimbursed for the payments from the proceeds of the sale.
(2) When a lien attaches under subsection (1) of this section, the lessor, at any time before a sale of the property, shall have a right to discharge the lien by paying to the holder the amount secured thereby, including costs and all monies he may have paid to the lessor to prevent a forfeiture of the lease, and, after a sale, he shall have the right to prevent the removal of the building or improvement from the premises by paying to the purchaser the value of the building or improvement; and upon the payment, either to the holder of the lien or to the purchaser, the building or improvement shall become the property of the lessor.
(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, unless done by the written consent of the owner, only the building or improvements erected, and then only to the extent that they are detachable from the real property without injury to the real property, as well as the estate of the tenant in the land, shall be subject to the lien.
(1) The special lien specified in Section 85-7-403(1) shall be dissolved and unenforceable if the owner, purchaser from owner, or lender providing construction or purchase money or any other loan secured by real estate shows that:
(a) Payment or release of funds was made by the owner, purchaser or lender in reliance upon a lien waiver issued by the lien claimant pursuant to Section 85-7-419; or
(b) Payment or release of funds was made by the owner, purchaser or lender in reliance upon a sworn written statement of the contractor that the agreed price or reasonable value of the labor, services or materials has been paid or waived in writing by the lien claimant. If the sworn written statement, as required by this paragraph (b), is falsely and knowingly made, then all parties injured thereby shall have a right of action against the maker of the sworn written statement for damages in the amount of three (3) times their actual damages sustained on account of the willfully and falsely made sworn written statement.
(2) In a lien action, the owner of the improved real estate shall have a defense to the extent of any payment for the work, materials or services that are the subject of the lien made to a contractor or design professional in privity of contract with the owner or to a subcontractor in good-faith reliance upon receipt of a lien waiver pursuant to subsection (1)(a), or upon receipt of a sworn written statement pursuant to subsection (1)(b), and before receipt of notice of the filing by the lien claimant of a notice of lien pursuant to Section 85-7-405 or an affidavit of nonpayment pursuant to Section 85-7-419(5)(b).
(1) When any person entitled under this article to claim a lien against any real estate located in this state files a lien in the office of the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which the real estate is located, the owner of the real estate or the contractor or subcontractor employed to improve the property may, before or after foreclosure proceedings are instituted, discharge the lien upon the approval of a bond by the clerk of the chancery court. The bond shall be conditioned to pay to the holder of the lien the sum that may be found to be due the holder upon the trial of any payment action that may be filed by the lienholder to recover the amount of the claim within one hundred eighty (180) days from the time the claim of lien is filed or as otherwise required by Section 85-7-423. The bond shall be one hundred ten percent (110%) of the amount claimed under that lien and shall be either a cash bond or a bond with good security approved by the clerk of the chancery court and issued by any surety company authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi. Upon approval by the clerk of the bond, the real estate shall be discharged from the lien.
(2) Within seven (7) days of filing the bond required by subsection (1) of this section and any attachments, the party filing the bond shall send a notice of filing the bond and a copy of the bond by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the lien claimant at the address stated on the lien or, if no address is shown for the lien claimant, to the person shown as having filed the lien on behalf of the claimant at the indicated address of the person and, if the bond is filed by a contractor or subcontractor, to the owner of the property and the contractor; however, if the lien claimant or the owner or contractor is an entity on file with the Secretary of State’s office, sending the notice of filing the bond and a copy of the bond to the company’s address or the registered agent’s address on file with the Secretary of State shall be deemed sufficient; failure to send the notice of filing the bond and copy of the bond shall not invalidate the bond for purposes of discharge of a claim of lien under this section. With respect to bonds secured by property, the clerk shall not accept any real property bond unless the real property is scheduled in an attached affidavit setting forth a description of the property and indicating the record owner thereof, including any liens and encumbrances and amounts thereof, the market value, and the value of the sureties’ interest therein, which affidavit shall be executed by the owner or owners of the interest; the bond and affidavit shall be recorded in the same manner and at the same cost as other deeds of real property. So long as the bond exists, it shall constitute a lien against the property described in the attached affidavit.
(3) The clerk of the chancery court shall have the right to rely upon the amount specified in the claim of lien in determining the sufficiency of any bond to discharge under this section. The failure to specify both the amount claimed due under the lien and the date the claim was due shall result in the lien not constituting notice for any purposes.
(4) The clerk of the chancery court shall be held harmless for good faith regarding any discretionary act in connection with approval of any bond provided for in this section.
If services are performed or furnished with respect to any real estate by any design professional who is a member of a partnership or who is an agent or employee of a corporation or an association and the contract for the services is made for or on behalf of the owner with the partnership or corporation or association, the partnership, corporation or association shall be entitled to all the privileges and benefits of Section 85-7-403, just as if the partnership, corporation or association were a design professional.
(1) A right to claim a lien or to claim upon a bond may not be waived in advance of furnishing of labor, services or materials. Any purported waiver or release of lien, bond claim or this article executed or made in advance of furnishing labor, services or materials is null, void and unenforceable.
(2) When a claimant is requested to execute a waiver and release in exchange for or in order to induce payment other than final payment, the waiver and release shall substantially follow the Interim Waiver and Release upon Payment form set forth in Section 85-7-433(1). The failure to correctly complete any of the blank spaces in the referenced form does not invalidate the form if the subject matter of the release reasonably may be determined.
(3) When a claimant is requested to execute a waiver and release in exchange for or in order to induce making of final payment, the waiver and release shall substantially follow the Waiver and Release upon Final Payment form set forth in Section 85-7-433(2). The failure to correctly complete any of the blank spaces in the referenced form does not invalidate the form if the subject matter of the release reasonably may be determined.
(4) Nothing contained in this section shall affect:
(a) The enforceability of any subordination of lien rights by a potential lien claimant to the rights of any other party which may have or acquire an interest in all or any part of the real estate or other property for which the potential lien claimant has furnished labor, services or material, even though the subordination is entered into in advance of furnishing labor, services or material, and even though the claimant has not actually received payment in full for its claim;
(b) The enforceability of any waiver of lien rights given in connection with the settlement of a bona fide dispute concerning the amount due the lien claimant for labor, services or material which have already been furnished; or
(c) The validity of a cancellation or release of a recorded claim of lien.
(5)
(a) When a waiver and release provided for in this section is executed by the claimant, it shall be binding against the claimant for all purposes, subject only to payment in full of the amount set forth in the waiver and release.
(b) Amounts shall conclusively be deemed paid in full upon the earliest to occur of:
(i) Actual receipt of funds;
(ii) Execution by the claimant of a separate written acknowledgment of payment in full; or
(iii) Sixty (60) days after the date of the execution of the waiver and release, unless before the expiration of the sixty-day period the claimant files in the county in which the property is located an affidavit of nonpayment, using substantially the affidavit of nonpayment form set forth in Section 85-7-433(3), and sends a true and accurate copy of the affidavit of nonpayment to the owner of the property in the manner provided in Section 85-7-405 for sending a notice of a claim of lien to the owner.
(c) A claimant who is paid, in full, the amount set forth in the waiver and release form after filing an affidavit of nonpayment shall upon request execute in recordable form an affidavit swearing that payment in full has been received. Upon recordation thereof in the county in which the affidavit of nonpayment was recorded, the affidavit of nonpayment to which it relates shall be deemed void.
(d) Nothing in this section shall shorten the time within which to file a claim of lien.
(e) Except as provided in Section 85-7-413, a waiver and release provided in accordance with this section shall be suspended upon the filing of an affidavit of nonpayment until payment in full has been received. However, an affidavit of nonpayment shall not affect dissolution of the claimant’s lien or the availability or enforceability of any owner’s defenses pursuant to Section 85-7-413, if applicable.
(f) The claimant may rely upon the information contained in the waiver and release form when completing for filing the affidavit of nonpayment.
(1) Failure of a lien claimant to commence a payment action to collect the amount of his or her claim within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of filing the lien renders the claim of lien unenforceable. Any lien filed shall include on the face of the lien the following statement in at least 12 point bold font: “THIS CLAIM OF LIEN EXPIRES AND IS VOID ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF FILING OF THE CLAIM OF LIEN IF A PAYMENT ACTION IS NOT FILED IN THAT TIME PERIOD.” Failure to include the required language shall invalidate the lien and prevent it from being filed. No release or voiding of the liens shall be required. A lien shall expire sooner and be disregarded once it is determined that no notice of commencement was timely filed in response to a notice of contest pursuant to Section 85-7-423.
(2) Whenever any lien has been fully satisfied, the holder thereof shall file a cancellation of it in the record in the office of the chancery clerk.
(3) Any holder of a lien, who, after having been fully paid, fails for fifteen (15) days after demand in writing to file a cancellation as provided in subsection (1) of this section, shall be liable to any person thereby injured for the amount of the injury, which shall not be less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day that the required cancellation is not timely filed, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
(1) An owner or an owner’s agent or attorney, or the contractor or contractor’s agent or attorney, may elect to shorten the time prescribed in which to commence a payment action to enforce any claim of lien by recording in the chancery clerk’s office a notice in substantially the form set forth in Section 85-7-433(4), along with proof of delivery to the lien claimant.
(2) The clerk of the chancery court shall cross-reference the notice of contest of lien to the lien. The owner or the owner’s agent or attorney, or the contractor or the contractor’s agent or attorney, shall send a copy of the notice of contest of lien by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the lien claimant at the address noted on the face of the lien within seven (7) days of filing. Service shall be deemed complete upon mailing.
(3) The lien shall be extinguished by law upon the earlier of ninety (90) days after the filing of the notice of contest of lien, or one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of lien filing if no payment action is filed in that time period. No release or voiding of the liens shall be required. This subsection shall not be construed to extend the time in which a payment action must begin.
The computation of time under this article shall be determined pursuant to Section 1-3-67.
(1) Judgments establishing the lien, and ordering the property sold for the satisfaction thereof, may be enforced by special writ of execution as set forth in Section 85-7-153.
(2) The delivery of possession by the person claiming the lien shall not affect his lien.
(1) Any person who shall falsely and knowingly file the claim of lien provided in this article without just cause shall be liable to every party injured thereby for a penalty equal to three (3) times the full amount for which the claim was filed, to be recovered in an action by any party so injured at any time within one hundred eighty (180) days from the filing of the claim of lien.
(2) Any person whose rights may be adversely affected by wrongful filing of a claim of lien, as provided by this article may, in addition to the remedies set forth in subsection (1) of this section, apply, upon seven (7) days’ notice, to the circuit, county or chancery court, to expunge or vacate the claim of lien, in accordance with Rule 81(d) (2) of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.
Where a contractor gives a payment bond providing payment protection to subcontractors and material suppliers to the full extent provided by the Mississippi Little Miller Act found at Section 31-5-51 or the private project bond provision at Section 85-7-432, the payment bond shall be in substitution for the liens provided for a subcontractor or materialman in this article. The contractor’s right to a lien is not affected by the provision of a bond.
(1) Any person entering into a formal contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of any private building or other private work, before entering into such contract, may furnish to the owner, bonds with good and sufficient surety in which case the bonds shall conform to the requirements of this chapter as follows:
(a) A performance bond shall be payable to, in favor of or for the protection of such owner, for the work to be done in an amount not less than the amount of the contract, conditioned for the full and faithful performance of the contract;
(b) A payment bond shall be payable to the owner but conditioned for the prompt payment of all persons supplying labor or material used in the execution of the work under the contract, for the use of each such person, in an amount not less than the amount of the contract; and
(c) The bonds herein provided for may be made by any surety company which is authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi and listed on the United States Treasury Department’s list of acceptable sureties.
(2) Every person who has furnished labor or material used in the execution of the private work provided for in such contract, in respect of which a payment bond is furnished, and who has not been paid in full for such before the expiration of a period of ninety (90) days after the date on which the last of the labor was performed by him or her or the last of the materials was furnished by him or her and for which such claim is made, provided the same has been approved, where required, by the owner or its architect or engineers, or such approval is being withheld as a result of unreasonable acts of the contractor, shall have the right to sue on such payment bond for the amount, or the balance thereof that is due and payable, but unpaid at the time of institution of such suit and to prosecute said action to final execution and judgment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the amount claimed in such action is subject to contractual provisions or conditions, between the parties involved in such action, the action shall be abated pending the performance of such provisions and the fulfillment of such conditions.
(3) Any person having direct contractual relationship with a subcontractor, but no contractual relationship express or implied with the contractor furnishing the private work payment bond shall have a right of action upon the said payment bond upon giving written notice to said contractor within ninety (90) days from the date on which such person did or performed the last of the labor or furnished or supplied the last of the material for which such claim is made, stating with substantial accuracy the amount claimed and the name of the party to whom the material was furnished or supplied or for whom the labor was done or performed. Such notice shall be given in writing by the claimant to the contractor or surety at any place where the contractor or surety maintains an office or conducts business. Such notice may be personally delivered by the claimant to the contractor or surety, or it may be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or emailed with a receipt of a read receipt, to the contractor or surety. No such action may be maintained by any person not having a direct contractual relationship with the contractor principal, unless the notice required by this section shall have been given.
(4) The only persons protected by such payment bond, subject to the notice provisions of this section are:
(a) Subcontractors and material suppliers of the contractor;
(b) Sub-subcontractors and material suppliers of those subcontractors named in subsection (4)(a) of this subsection; and
(c) Laborers who have performed work on the project site.
(5)
(a) When suit is instituted on a performance bond given in accordance with this chapter, it shall be commenced within one (1) year after the obligee shall have made final payment on the contract; provided, however, if the contract is abandoned by the general contractor as bond principal or is terminated by the bond obligee, suit shall be commenced within one (1) year after the earlier of the abandonment by the bond principal or termination by the bond obligee.
(b) When suit is instituted on a payment bond given in accordance with this chapter, it shall be commenced within one (1) year after the day on which the last of the labor was performed or material was supplied by the person bringing the action and not later.
(c) Any suit brought on a performance or payment bond given in accordance with this chapter shall be brought in the county in which the contract or some part thereof was performed or in the county in which service of process may be obtained upon either the principal or the surety on such bond. Service of process on the surety through the Commissioner of Insurance does not satisfy the venue requirement of this section.
(6) Any person supplying labor or materials for the execution of the work shall, upon a written request to the owner/obligee, or to the contractor/principal, be furnished promptly with a true and correct copy of the contract and bonds within thirty (30) days of the request or the recipient of the request shall thereafter become liable for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs in any subsequent action under this section. The written request may be evidenced by any reliable means of delivery.
(7) Whenever any person supplying labor or material in the execution of the work brings an action on such payment bond and the trial judge finds that the defense raised to such action by the contractor or surety was not reasonable, or not in good faith, or merely for the purpose of delaying payment, then the trial judge may, in his discretion, award the claimant a reasonable amount to be determined by the trial judge as claimant’s attorney’s fees in bringing such successful action. Likewise, if the trial judge finds that such action was brought by claimant without just cause or in bad faith, the trial judge may, in his discretion, award the contractor or surety a reasonable amount to be determined by the trial judge as attorney’s fees for defending such action; provided, however, this section shall not affect the right of any person to recover attorney’s fees where provided by contract or bond.
(1) The following form is the Interim Waiver and Release Upon Payment form referred to in Section 85-7-419:
INTERIM WAIVER AND RELEASE UPON PAYMENT
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF ____________________
THE UNDERSIGNED MECHANIC AND/OR MATERIALMAN HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY ____________________ (NAME OF CONTRACTOR) TO FURNISH ____________________ (DESCRIBE MATERIALS AND/OR LABOR) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS KNOWN AS ____________________ (TITLE OF THE PROJECT OR BUILDING) WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ____________________, COUNTY OF ____________________, AND IS OWNED BY ____________________ (NAME OF OWNER) AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
(DESCRIBE THE PROPERTY UPON WHICH THE IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE BY USING EITHER A METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION, THE LAND LOT DISTRICT, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER, OR STREET ADDRESS OF THE PROJECT.)
UPON THE RECEIPT OF THE SUM OF $____________________, THE MECHANIC AND/OR MATERIALMAN WAIVES AND RELEASES ANY AND ALL LIENS OR CLAIMS OF LIENS IT HAS UPON THE FOREGOING DESCRIBED PROPERTY OR ANY RIGHTS AGAINST ANY LABOR AND/OR MATERIAL BOND THROUGH THE DATE OF ____________________ (DATE) AND EXCEPTING THOSE RIGHTS AND LIENS THAT THE MECHANIC AND/OR MATERIALMAN MIGHT HAVE IN ANY RETAINED AMOUNTS, ON ACCOUNT OF LABOR OR MATERIALS, OR BOTH, FURNISHED BY THE UNDERSIGNED TO OR ON ACCOUNT OF SAID CONTRACTOR FOR SAID BUILDING OR PREMISES.
____________________
SIGNATURE
BY: ____________________
(PRINT NAME)
ITS: ____________________
(PRINT TITLE)
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, THIS THE ____________________ DAY OF ____________________, 20____________________.
____________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
NOTICE: WHEN YOU EXECUTE AND SUBMIT THIS DOCUMENT, YOU SHALL BE CONCLUSIVELY DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE PAYMENT, SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER THE DATE STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU FILE EITHER AN AFFIDAVIT OF NONPAYMENT OR A CLAIM OF LIEN BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE SIXTY-DAY PERIOD. THE FAILURE TO INCLUDE THIS NOTICE LANGUAGE ON THE FACE OF THE FORM SHALL RENDER THE FORM UNENFORCEABLE AND INVALID AS A WAIVER AND RELEASE UNDER SECTION 85-7-419, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972.
(2) The following form is the Waiver and Release Upon Final Payment form referred to in Section 85-7-419:
WAIVER AND RELEASE UPON FINAL PAYMENT
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF ____________________
THE UNDERSIGNED MECHANIC AND/OR MATERIALMAN HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY ____________________ (NAME OF CONTRACTOR) TO FURNISH ____________________ (DESCRIBE MATERIALS AND/OR LABOR) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS KNOWN AS ____________________ (TITLE OF THE PROJECT OR BUILDING) WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ____________________, COUNTY OF ____________________, AND IS OWNED BY ____________________ (NAME OF OWNER) AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
(DESCRIBE THE PROPERTY UPON WHICH THE IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE BY USING EITHER A METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION, THE LAND LOT DISTRICT, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER, OR STREET ADDRESS OF THE PROJECT.)
UPON THE RECEIPT OF THE SUM OF $____________________, THE MECHANIC AND/OR MATERIALMAN WAIVES AND RELEASES ANY AND ALL LIENS OR CLAIMS OF LIENS IT HAS UPON THE FOREGOING DESCRIBED PROPERTY OR ANY RIGHTS AGAINST ANY LABOR AND/OR MATERIAL BOND ON ACCOUNT OF LABOR OR MATERIALS, OR BOTH, FURNISHED BY THE UNDERSIGNED TO OR ON ACCOUNT OF SAID CONTRACTOR FOR SAID PROPERTY.
____________________
SIGNATURE
BY: ____________________
(PRINT NAME)
ITS: ____________________
(PRINT TITLE)
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, THIS THE ____________________ DAY OF ____________________, 20____________________.
____________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
NOTICE: WHEN YOU EXECUTE AND SUBMIT THIS DOCUMENT, YOU SHALL BE CONCLUSIVELY DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE PAYMENT, SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER THE DATE STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU FILE EITHER AN AFFIDAVIT OF NONPAYMENT OR A CLAIM OF LIEN BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE SIXTY-DAY PERIOD. THE FAILURE TO INCLUDE THIS NOTICE LANGUAGE ON THE FACE OF THE FORM SHALL RENDER THE FORM UNENFORCEABLE AND INVALID AS A WAIVER AND RELEASE UNDER SECTION 85-7-419, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972.
____________________
SIGNATURE
BY: ____________________
(PRINT NAME)
ITS: ____________________
(PRINT TITLE)
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, THIS THE ____________________ DAY OF ____________________, 20____________________.
____________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
(3) The following form is the Affidavit of Nonpayment referred to in Section 85-7-419:
AFFIDAVIT OF NONPAYMENT
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF ____________________
THE UNDERSIGNED MECHANIC AND/OR MATERIALMAN HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY ____________________ (NAME OF CONTRACTOR) TO FURNISH ____________________ (DESCRIBE MATERIALS AND/OR LABOR) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS KNOWN AS ____________________ (TITLE OF THE PROJECT OR BUILDING) WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ____________________, COUNTY OF ____________________, AND IS OWNED BY ____________________ (NAME OF OWNER) AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
(DESCRIBE THE PROPERTY UPON WHICH THE IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE BY USING EITHER A METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION, THE LAND LOT DISTRICT, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER, OR STREET ADDRESS OF THE PROJECT.)
PURSUANT TO SECTION 85-7-419 THE UNDERSIGNED EXECUTED A LIEN WAIVER AND RELEASE WITH RESPECT TO THIS PROPERTY DATED ____________________, ____________________. THE AMOUNT SET FORTH IN THE WAIVER AND RELEASE ($____________________) HAS NOT BEEN PAID, AND THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF THE NONPAYMENT.
THE ABOVE FACTS ARE SWORN TRUE AND CORRECT BY THE UNDERSIGNED.
____________________
SIGNATURE
BY: ____________________
(PRINT NAME)
ITS: ____________________
(PRINT TITLE)
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, THIS THE ____________________ DAY OF ____________________, 20____________________.
____________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
WITHIN TWO (2) DAYS OF FILING THIS AFFIDAVIT OF NONPAYMENT, THE FILING PARTY SHALL SEND A COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL OR STATUTORY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY TO THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY. WHENEVER THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY IS AN ENTITY ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE, SENDING A COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT TO THE COMPANY’S ADDRESS OR THE REGISTERED AGENT’S ADDRESS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL BE DEEMED SUFFICIENT.
(4) The following form is the Notice of Contest of Lien form referred to in Section 85-7-423:
NOTICE OF CONTEST OF LIEN
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF ____________________
TO: [NAME AND ADDRESS OF LIEN CLAIMANT]
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE UNDERSIGNED CONTESTS THE CLAIM OF LIEN FILED BY YOU ON ____________________ 20____________________, AND RECORDED IN ____________________ BOOK ____________________, PAGE ____________________ OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ____________________ COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AGAINST PROPERTY OWNED BY ____________________, AND THAT THE TIME WITHIN WHICH YOU MAY COMMENCE A PAYMENT ACTION TO ENFORCE YOUR LIEN IS LIMITED TO NINETY (90) DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE. THIS ____________________ DAY OF ____________________, 20____________________.
THIS ABOVE-REFERENCED LIEN WILL EXPIRE AND BE VOID IF YOU DO NOT:
(1) COMMENCE A PAYMENT ACTION FOR RECOVERY OF THE AMOUNT OF THE LIEN CLAIM PURSUANT TO SECTION 85-7-405, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE; AND
(2) FILE A LIS PENDENS NOTICE OF THE PAYMENT ACTION WITH THE CHANCERY CLERK UPON COMMENCEMENT OF THE PAYMENT ACTION WITH A COPY TO THE LIEN CLAIMANT, OWNER AND CONTRACTOR.
____________________
SIGNATURE
BY: ____________________
(PRINT NAME)
ITS: ____________________
(PRINT TITLE)
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, THIS THE ____________________ DAY OF ____________________, 20____________________.
____________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
(5) The following form is the Pre-Lien Notice form referred to in Section 85-7-409(3):
PRE-LIEN NOTICE TO OWNER
TO: [NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER]
TAKE NOTICE THAT THE UNDERSIGNED IS A PERSON HAVING A RIGHT TO A LIEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 85-7-403, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHO DOES NOT HAVE A DIRECT CONTRACT WITH THE OWNER, HAS PROVIDED LABOR, SERVICES OR MATERIALS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS ____________________
(“THE PROPERTY”), FOR THE SUM OF $ ____________________ FOR WHICH THE UNDERSIGNED HAS NOT BEEN PAID, AND INTENDS TO FILE A CLAIM OF SPECIAL LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IN TEN (10) OR MORE DAYS FROM THE DATE HEREOF.
SO NOTIFIED, THIS THE ____________________ DAY OF ____________________, 20____________________.
LIEN CLAIMANT: ____________________
(PRINT NAME)
BY: ____________________
(SIGNATURE)
ITS: ____________________
(PRINT TITLE)