surface improvement lien

A surface improvement lien is a legal claim that a contractor or supplier can place on a property when they have not been paid for work or materials provided for improvements, like paving driveways or landscaping. This lien acts as a security interest, ensuring that the property owner must resolve the outstanding payment before selling or refinancing the property. Essentially, it protects those who enhance a property by allowing them to pursue payment through the value added to the property itself. If the debt remains unpaid, they may seek to recover funds through a legal process involving the property.