Question
Can a plumber file a lien on your house with no contract and refusal to send you a sales receipt?
I just had some work done on my house for plumbing. I told the worker if it cost over $500 to call me. The working ended up costing $900. My tenants complained because it took 35 days to complete and I have paid him $500. I have asked for a sales receipt but have not received one. We didn't sign a contract but he has threatened to file a lien on my house. Can he do this with no contract? What should I do? Do I pay the $300 blindly
2 months ago - 4 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
There is nothing to stop him from filing the lien so yes he can do that but it doesn't mean he will win in court. There is no contract! By the way, I probably don't have to say this since you have probably learned from this - Only work with a contract and references! :)
Source(s)
real estate agent
by DebbieA
2 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
Yes he can file a lien but you can also have it removed. Since there isn't a contract it is your word against his. If you think the work was required and justified, then pay him the rest. Otherwise if you would not have had the work done knowing the cost, then don't pay him. You'll probably end up in court. A lien is no big deal unless you plan to sell sometime soon.
by Ginger- 2 months ago
He can file a lien, but there's no way it would stick if you challenged it. In my state (minnesota) and probably yours, the lien stays for one year, then drops off if he doesn't pursue it further. Absent written agreement, no court will rule in his favor. Also he hasn't provided you an invoice, so you can't reasonably be expected to pay. (Hard to do your taxes and account for this work later without an invoice, right?) You should write him and say that you did not authorize work over $500. You can offer him (in writing) to split the $400 extra, which he shouldn't have done without your approval. So you offer an additional $200. I would bet he'll take it and move on. It's his fault for not having a written contract with you. Don't be afraid of the lien because it won't affect your credit or anything. It only means you wouldn't be able to sell the house in the next year without having the lien cleared, which I doubt you intend to do anyway.
by axaroth- 2 months ago
$900-$500 is $400. So you actually owe $400 (not $300). However, he didn't call you. You didn't sign a contract. And he, by law, has to show you an itemized bill. He has not done so. I'm not sure if he could file a lien... but it's probably worth a trip to small claims court though. In VA, where I live, liens stick around for 5 years on houses. For future reference though, you should never make your tenants suffer through plumbing/electricity/maintenance problems. They're people, too. They don't know & don't care if you're strapped for cash. They pay good money to rent from you & you should respect that and see that repairs are done in a timely manner.
by BlueViolet- 2 months ago