Mechanic's Lien Guide
Iowa Mechanic's Lien Guide
Lien deadlines, notice requirements, and filing procedures for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in Iowa.
Iowa Lien Deadlines
Preliminary Notice
MNLR (residential)Not required on commercial projects. On RESIDENTIAL construction projects, a subcontractor MUST post a Preliminary Notice to the Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry (MNLR) internet site (Iowa Code § 572.13B). A subcontractor who fails to post the preliminary notice is not entitled to a lien or remedy under Chapter 572. A preliminary notice posted before the balance due is paid to the general contractor or owner-builder is effective as to all labor, service, equipment, and material furnished. Note that a lien is enforceable only to the extent of the balance due the general contractor when the notice is posted / received by the owner.
Intent to Lien
Not requiredA Notice of Intent to Lien is not required in Iowa. On residential projects, however, the MNLR preliminary-notice process (§ 572.13B) governs and must be followed to preserve lien rights.
Mechanic's lien
90 daysFile (post) the mechanic's lien to the Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry (MNLR) within 90 days after the date the last of the material was furnished or the last of the labor was performed to preserve full priority. A lien may still be perfected AFTER the 90-day window (Iowa Code § 572.10) by posting to the MNLR and giving written notice to the owner, but with reduced rights against the owner. The statement of account must be posted within two years and ninety days of last furnishing. An action to enforce the lien must be brought within 2 years from the expiration of the 90-day period after last furnishing (Iowa Code § 572.27).
Calculate your Iowa Mechanics Lien Deadline
Your project
DISCLAIMER: These deadlines are pulled from recent lien laws, but you should consult a lien expert or lawyer to understand the deadlines specific to your situation.
Iowa deadlines
Showing deadlines for a Subcontractor. Deadlines can vary by role.
Enter your project dates on the left to calculate exact deadline dates.
Preliminary Notice
Sub-sub on non-residential: 30 days from first furnishing (notice to prime). Owner-occupied residential: notice to owner upon starting work.
Enter project dates to calculate
Mechanics Lien Filing
90 days from last furnishing labor or materials
Enter project dates to calculate
Enforcement (foreclosure)
2 years from last date the lien could have been filed (effectively 2 years and 90 days from last furnishing); shortenable to 30 days by owner's written demand
Calculated once you record the lien
Iowa Lien Guide
Preliminary Notice & Notice of Intent
Preliminary Notice: Not required on commercial projects. For RESIDENTIAL construction, Iowa uses the Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry (MNLR), a statewide online registry. A general contractor or owner-builder must post a Notice of Commencement of Work within 10 days of starting work, and a subcontractor must post a Preliminary Notice to the MNLR to preserve lien rights. Failure to post to the MNLR forfeits lien rights on residential projects. Notice of Intent to Lien: Not required.
Who Can File a Mechanic's Lien
Every person who furnishes material or labor for, or performs labor upon, a building or land for improvement, alteration, or repair — including those grading, sodding, installing nursery stock, landscaping, building sidewalks, or fencing — by virtue of a contract with the owner, owner-builder, general contractor, or subcontractor is entitled to a mechanic's lien in Iowa. A person who rents material to the owner, general contractor, or subcontractor may also claim a lien for the rental value.
Who Gets the Notice
Notices are posted to the Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry (MNLR) internet site. The MNLR administrator then mails the required notice to the project owner.
Information Required
Information needed to perfect a mechanic's lien in Iowa (posted to the MNLR) includes: - The date material was first furnished or labor first performed, and the date the last of the material was furnished or labor performed - A legal description that adequately describes the property - The name and last known mailing address of the property owner - The address of the property (or a description of its location) - The tax parcel identification number - A verified statement of account of the demand due, after allowing all credits
Iowa Public Works
In Iowa, mechanic's liens are not available on public works projects. Public property cannot be encumbered by a mechanic's lien. Instead, claimants for labor or material file a claim against the retained funds and the payment/performance bond posted for the project (Iowa Code Chapter 573). An action to adjudicate rights to the fund or to enforce liability on the bond may be brought in equity in the county where the improvement is located after the expiration of 30 days, and not later than 60 days, following completion and final acceptance of the improvement (Iowa Code § 573.16). Claimants should file their claim against the fund promptly (generally within 30 days of completion and final acceptance) to share in the retained funds.
Iowa Lien Statutes
Official Resources
Protect Your Cash Flow
Filing a mechanic's lien is the last resort. Billd helps you get paid faster so you can focus on building.
Get StartedRelated Articles
For more insights on protecting your payment rights and navigating lien laws, read these articles below.
The Billder's Bulletin
Construction finance intelligence, delivered monthly.
Join thousands of construction executives getting the Billder's Bulletin.