CSLB Law & Business ExamInsurance and LiensHard
A property owner records a valid Notice of Completion 10 days after the work of improvement is finished. A subcontractor who is not the direct contractor must now record any mechanics lien within how many days after the Notice of Completion is recorded?
- A90 days
- B30 days
- C60 days
- D15 days
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 30 days
When a valid Notice of Completion (or Cessation) is timely recorded, all claimants other than the direct contractor must record a mechanics lien within 30 days after recording. The direct contractor gets 60 days. Without a recorded Notice of Completion, the default deadline for everyone reverts to 90 days after actual completion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 90 days applies only when no Notice of Completion/Cessation is recorded.
- C. 60 days applies to the direct contractor, not subcontractors.
- D. 15 days is not a recognized statutory deadline.
Effect of Notice of Completion on Lien Deadlines
Recording a valid Notice of Completion shortens mechanics lien filing deadlines to 60 days for the direct contractor and 30 days for all other claimants, measured from the recording date.
- Notice of Completion must be recorded within 15 days after actual completion to be valid
- Shortens the default 90-day deadline significantly
- Owners use it to speed up clearing of potential lien claims
Memory trick: NOC recorded: contractor gets 60, everyone else gets 30.