Types of Liens in Oregon: Rules, Priority & How to File
by Michelle McCullum
Quick Answer: What Are the Different Types of Liens in Oregon?
The five common types of Oregon liens are construction liens, tax liens, judgment liens, mortgage liens, and HOA or condominium assessment liens. Each arises from a different obligation and can have different recording, notice, priority, and enforcement rules. Construction-lien timing can be especially short.
- Construction liens: Eligible claimants generally must record within 75 days of the earlier of last furnishing or project completion. Separate notice rules may apply.
- Priority varies: Tax claims, mortgages, construction liens, and association liens can follow different statutory and recording rules.
- Verify before acting: Search county records or obtain a current title report, then confirm the lien type, recording details, and current status.
Note: Lien deadlines vary by type. Read our guide below, verified for accuracy by local lien specialists. Updated September 2026.
Video Summary: Oregon Liens
Here’s a quick breakdown of the different types of liens in Oregon, and what to know if you’re a contractor.
5 Common Types of Liens in Oregon
The five common types of liens in Oregon are:
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Construction liens: Claims that eligible construction professionals may use for unpaid qualifying work, materials, equipment, or services.
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Tax liens: Claims that can arise from unpaid state, federal, or local tax obligations.
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Judgment liens: Claims that may arise from an unpaid money judgment.
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Mortgage liens or deeds of trust: Claims that secure a real-estate loan.
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HOA or condominium assessment liens: Claims related to unpaid association assessments and permitted related charges.
This is not every possible type of Oregon lien. The right next step is to identify what created the claim and review the document tied to that particular property or debt.
How Oregon Liens Are Commonly Classified
- General vs. Specific: A general lien may reach property more broadly, subject to the claim and applicable rules. A specific lien is tied to identified property, such as a particular parcel or construction project.
- Voluntary vs. Involuntary: A voluntary lien begins with the owner’s agreement, such as a mortgage. An involuntary lien may arise from an unpaid obligation, a judgment, unpaid taxes, or unpaid assessments.
Table Summary: Common Oregon Liens
| Lien Type | What It Secures | When It May Apply | Typical Category | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Lien | Unpaid qualifying construction work, materials, equipment, or services that improved a specific property. | An eligible construction claimant has not been paid for qualifying work, materials, equipment, or services. | Specific and involuntary | Claimant role, Notice of Right to Lien requirements, first and last furnishing dates, owner information, county, and filing deadline. See Oregon lien deadlines. |
| Tax Lien | Unpaid state, federal, or local tax obligations. | A government authority records a claim or warrant related to delinquent taxes. | Generally involuntary; scope can vary by tax type and authority | The issuing authority, tax type, recording county or UCC record, current balance, and release process. |
| Judgment Lien | An unpaid money judgment that may affect real property. | A court enters a money judgment, and the necessary steps are taken for it to affect property. | Generally involuntary; may be general or property-specific depending on the circumstances | Case number, court, parties, judgment date, county record, and satisfaction status. |
| Mortgage Lien or Deed of Trust | A loan used to buy, build, or refinance a specific property. | A property owner agrees to use the property as security for a loan. | Specific and voluntary | Loan servicer, current payoff amount, recording information, and whether a release or reconveyance is needed. |
| HOA or Condominium Assessment Lien | Unpaid association assessments and related charges permitted by governing documents and applicable rules. | An owner does not pay assessments due to a homeowners association or condominium association. | Specific and involuntary | Whether the property is a planned community or condominium, the declaration, bylaws, itemized account balance, notices, and applicable statute. |
What Is a Construction Lien in Oregon?
A construction lien, also called a mechanics lien, materialmen’s lien, and laborer’s lien, is a claim that eligible construction professionals may record when they are not paid for qualifying work, materials, equipment, or services used to improve property.
- Who can file: Contractors, subcontractors, laborers, suppliers, equipment providers, and certain design professionals. Eligibility depends on the claimant’s role and the project facts.
- What to know: Oregon construction-lien rules are primarily in ORS Chapter 87. A claim generally must be recorded within 75 days after the earlier of the claimant’s last furnishing or the completion of construction, whichever comes first. A suit to enforce the claim generally must be started within 120 days after filing.
- What to verify: Your role, contract chain, first and last furnishing dates, owner information, property address, county, and all notices already sent.
What Is a Tax Lien in Oregon?
A tax lien is a claim tied to unpaid taxes. It may involve state, federal, local, income, property, business, or other tax obligations.
- How it may arise: A government authority records a claim or warrant for a delinquent tax obligation. The Oregon Department of Revenue may record a state tax lien in a county where the taxpayer owns real property and, in some circumstances, a UCC lien.
- What to verify: The issuing authority, tax type, recording county or UCC record, current balance, and release or dispute process. Do not rely on a general internet search alone if a purchase, sale, or refinance is involved.
What Is a Judgment Lien in Oregon?
A judgment lien may arise after a court enters a money judgment. It can affect real property, but how and where it attaches depends on the judgment, county, and required filing or recording steps.
- What to know: A judgment is not automatically the same as a lien against every item of property. Oregon judgment statutes are in ORS Chapter 18. Many civil money-judgment remedies expire 10 years after entry, subject to statutory exceptions and renewal provisions.
- What to verify: The court, case number, parties, judgment date, county record, and whether a satisfaction has been entered after payment.
What Is a Mortgage Lien or Deed of Trust?
A mortgage lien or deed of trust is a voluntary claim that secures a real estate loan. The borrower agrees to use the identified property as security when buying, building, or refinancing.
- What to know: This claim usually appears in county land records. It commonly remains visible until the loan is paid and a release or reconveyance is recorded.
- What to verify: The loan servicer, current payoff amount, recording information, and release or reconveyance status. The original loan amount is not necessarily the current payoff amount.
What Is an HOA or Condominium Lien?
An HOA or condominium association may have a claim for unpaid assessments and other amounts permitted under its governing documents and applicable Oregon statutes.
- Planned community: ORS 94.709 addresses liens against lots for unpaid assessments.
- Condominium: ORS 100.450 addresses association liens against individual units.
- What to know: These claims differ from construction liens because they arise from an owner’s obligations under a planned-community or condominium arrangement, not from construction work. Priority and notice rules can depend on the statute, property type, declaration, assessment, and other recorded interests.
- What to verify: Whether the property is a planned community or condominium, the declaration and bylaws, an itemized account ledger, and any recorded notices.
What Liens Have the Highest Priority?
No single fixed priority order applies to every Oregon property. Priority can depend on the lien type, statute, recording dates, construction start date, mortgage or deed-of-trust terms, and other facts.
Property-tax claims and certain government assessments may receive priority under the relevant statutes. Construction liens have special priority rules in ORS 87.025. HOA and condominium assessment liens also have statutory priority provisions and exceptions.
Verify priority before a sale or refinance
Order a current title report or complete a county-record search.
List every recorded claim, including the recording date and number.
Review the governing documents for that lien type.
Request current payoff, release, or satisfaction information from each lienholder.
Seek qualified Oregon guidance if priority is disputed or the transaction has significant financial consequences.
How Long Does a Lien Last in Oregon?
A lien’s duration depends on its type, the governing statute, its recording or attachment date, payment status, and whether enforcement or renewal steps occurred. Oregon has no universal lien expiration date.
| Lien Type | General Timing Point to Verify |
|---|---|
| Construction Lien | A construction lien generally does not continue to bind property for more than 120 days after filing unless a suit is started within that period. The recording deadline is a separate issue and generally depends on the earlier of last furnishing or project completion. Review Oregon lien deadlines for more detail. |
| Judgment Lien | Many civil money-judgment remedies expire 10 years after entry, subject to applicable exceptions and renewal provisions. Confirm the judgment date, court record, county record, and any renewal or satisfaction. |
| Tax Lien | Timing varies by issuing authority, tax type, payment status, and collection process. Verify the current status, payoff amount, and release process directly with the relevant tax authority. |
| Mortgage Lien or Deed of Trust | It generally remains recorded until you pay off the secured loan and record a release or reconveyance. Request a current payoff statement from the loan servicer. |
| HOA or Condominium Assessment Lien | Timing can depend on whether the property is in a planned community or condominium, the governing documents, the assessment type, and the applicable statute. Request an itemized account statement and review the recorded association documents. |
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FAQs: Oregon Lien Types
Can an HOA place a lien on a home in Oregon?
Yes. An Oregon homeowners association may have a lien for unpaid assessments if the home is in a planned community, and a condominium association may have a similar lien against a unit. The property type, governing documents, balance, notices, and applicable statute matter. ORS 94.709 addresses planned-community assessment liens, while ORS 100.450 addresses condominium association liens. Ask the association for an itemized account statement and review the declaration before taking action.
Can a contractor file a lien without sending a Notice of Right to Lien?
Sometimes, but it depends on the claimant’s relationship to the owner and the project facts. An original contractor with a direct contract with the owner is treated differently from many subcontractors and suppliers.
For many claimants who need Oregon’s Notice of Right to Lien, a late notice may protect only work, materials, equipment, or services furnished no more than eight days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays, before the notice is mailed or delivered, plus what is furnished afterward. Review our Oregon Notice of Right to Lien guide before relying on a specific deadline.
How do I check whether a lien is recorded against an Oregon property?
Start with the county clerk or recording office where the property is located. Search the owner’s name, property address, and parcel or tax-lot number when available, then review the recorded documents. For a sale, purchase, refinance, or other significant transaction, a current title report can help identify recorded matters. Confirm with the lienholder whether an older claim has been paid, released, or satisfied.
How long does a lien last in Oregon?
How long a lien lasts depends on the lien type and the rules that apply to it. A construction lien generally does not continue to bind property beyond 120 days after filing unless a suit is started within that period. Many civil money-judgment remedies expire after 10 years, subject to exceptions and renewal provisions. Tax, mortgage, HOA, and condominium liens follow different processes, so review the recorded document and the rules for that specific lien.
What liens have the highest priority?
No single priority order applies to every Oregon property. Priority can depend on statutory rules, recording dates, mortgage or deed-of-trust terms, when construction began, and the type of lien involved. Property-tax claims may receive priority under applicable statutes, while construction liens and association liens have their own priority rules and exceptions. Use a current title report and review the relevant documents before assuming which lien would be paid first.
What is the most common lien on property?
A mortgage lien or deed of trust is generally the most commonly encountered lien on residential property because many properties are financed. It is not necessarily the highest-priority claim in every situation, and it may not be the only claim on a property. Construction liens, tax liens, judgment liens, and HOA assessment liens can also affect title. A county-record search or current title report is the best way to identify claims on a particular property.
Oregon Lien Resources
For a broader explanation of Oregon liens and Oregon lien laws, read our Oregon Lien Law Summary, FAQs, and Guide.
For construction-related claims, these official sources are useful starting points:
- ORS Chapter 87: Construction liens
- ORS 94.709: Planned-community assessment liens
- ORS 100.450: Condominium association liens
- ORS Chapter 18: Judgments
- Oregon Department of Revenue: State tax liens
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Mechanics lien laws are complex and vary by jurisdiction. For specific legal guidance regarding your situation, please consult a qualified Oregon-licensed attorney.
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