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Washtenaw County, Michigan — Mechanics Lien Filing Guide

Everything you need to know about filing a mechanics lien in Washtenaw County under Michigan law — deadlines, notice requirements, and step-by-step process.

Preliminary Notice

20 days

Lien Filing Deadline

90 days

Enforcement Period

1 year

Notice Category

Preliminary

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Mechanics Lien Requirements in Washtenaw County

If you've provided labor, materials, or services for a construction project in Washtenaw County,Michigan, and haven't been paid, you have the legal right to file a mechanics lien. This applies whether you're a general contractor, subcontractor, plumber, electrician, roofer, material supplier, or any other construction professional working in Washtenaw County.

All construction projects in Washtenaw County are governed by Michigan state law (M.C.L.A. 570.1101 et seq.). There isn't a separate Washtenaw County lien law — the state rules apply uniformly. What is local is where you record: in Michigan you file the lien with the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds — or the equivalent local recording office.

Important: To keep your lien rights active on a Washtenaw County project,Michigan requires you to send the “Notice of Furnishing” within 20 days of starting work or delivering materials. This is a standard compliance step — not confrontational — and it keeps all your options open.

Once you file your mechanics lien in Washtenaw County, the property owner can't easily sell or refinance the property until your claim is resolved. You then have 1 year to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien if the owner still doesn't pay. Most disputes are resolved through payment or negotiation after the lien is filed.

Who Must Receive Notice for Washtenaw County Projects?

Your RoleMust Notify
General ContractorNo notice required
SubcontractorProperty Owner, General Contractor
Material SupplierProperty Owner, General Contractor
LaborerProperty Owner, General Contractor
Equipment Rental CompanyProperty Owner, General Contractor
Architect / Engineer / SurveyorProperty Owner, General Contractor

Who Can File a Mechanics Lien in Washtenaw County?

Nearly anyone who contributes to a construction project in Washtenaw County can file a lien if they're not paid. This includes general contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.), material suppliers, equipment rental companies, laborers, architects and engineers, and surveyors. You don't need a direct contract with the property owner — even if you're several layers down the payment chain, Michigan law protects your right to get paid for work done in Washtenaw County.

How a Mechanics Lien Protects You

A mechanics lien puts a legal claim on the Washtenaw County property you improved — the owner can't easily sell or refinance until your payment is resolved. In most cases, filing the lien is enough to get paid without going to court. To keep this option available, make sure your notices and deadlines are handled on time.

Accepted Delivery Methods

Michigan accepts these methods for delivering notices on Washtenaw County projects:

Certified Mail (with return receipt)Personal Delivery (hand-delivered)

Filing Deadlines for Washtenaw County

Lien Filing Deadline

90 days

From last furnishing labor or material

Enforcement Deadline

1 year

To file foreclosure action after recording the lien

Official Michigan Resources

These are official state government websites where you can look up statutes, verify contractor licenses, and search business registrations.

State Legislature

Look up Michigan lien statutes and laws

Michigan Legislature

Contractor Licensing

Verify licenses and check requirements

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Secretary of State

Business entity search and registration

Michigan Secretary of State

File a Mechanics Lien in Washtenaw County, Michigan

LienGrid handles the entire lien filing process in Washtenaw County, Michigan — from required notices to the filing itself. State-compliant documents, certified mail delivery, and deadline tracking, all in one platform.

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Washtenaw County Mechanics Lien FAQ

Common questions about filing a mechanics lien in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Filing a mechanics lien in Washtenaw County follows Michigan state law (M.C.L.A. 570.1101 et seq.). Here's the basic process: First, you need to have sent the required "Notice of Furnishing" to the proper parties. Then, prepare your lien document with your name, the property address, a description of work done, and the amount owed. File it with the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds — there's usually a small recording fee. After filing, send a copy to the property owner. You have 90 days from last furnishing labor or material to file. File within this window to keep your lien rights protected.
Yes. Michigan requires a "Notice of Furnishing" for construction projects, including those in Washtenaw County. You must send it within 20 days of when you first start working or delivering materials to the project. This notice goes to specific parties (like the property owner and general contractor) and protects your right to file a lien later if you're not paid. Sending it on time keeps your lien rights active and gives you full protection if payment issues come up later.
For projects in Washtenaw County, you have 90 days from last furnishing labor or material to file your mechanics lien. This is a hard deadline set by Michigan state law — not a Washtenaw County rule specifically. File within this window to keep your lien rights protected on that project. After filing, you have 1 year to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien if the owner still doesn't pay.
You file your mechanics lien with the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds. This is the office that handles real property records for Washtenaw County. You'll need to bring your completed lien document and pay a recording fee. Some counties also accept electronic filings. The lien requirements come from Michigan state law (M.C.L.A. 570.1101 et seq.), but the actual filing happens at the county level.
For Washtenaw County construction projects, Michigan law accepts these delivery methods: Certified Mail, Personal Delivery. The delivery method matters — using a method that isn't on the approved list could make your notice invalid even if the other party received it. Always keep proof of delivery (receipts, tracking numbers) in your project file.
Almost anyone who provides labor, materials, or services for a construction project in Washtenaw County can file a mechanics lien if they're not paid. This includes general contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.), material suppliers, equipment rental companies, architects, engineers, and laborers. Even if you don't have a direct contract with the property owner, Michigan law typically allows you to file a lien to protect your right to payment.
Yes — LienGrid automates the entire mechanics lien process for Washtenaw County and all of Michigan. The platform tracks your deadlines, generates compliant notices with the correct Michigan statutory language, identifies required recipients, and can send notices via approved delivery methods on your behalf. Instead of manually tracking dates and managing compliance on your Washtenaw County project, LienGrid handles it all. Start a free trial to see how it works.

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Content reviewed by LienGrid's compliance team|Last reviewed: March 2026

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Michigan laws change frequently — always verify current requirements and consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking legal action. LienGrid makes every effort to keep this information accurate, but we cannot guarantee completeness or currency.