Overview
The Mechanics’ Lien Act (the Act) came into effect on June 18, 1970.
The Act allows for the registration of a claim for lien against real property for work done or to be done, or for materials placed or provided or to be placed or provided on a particular property. A lien prioritizes payments to builders, contractors and construction firms that build or repair structures. Liens also extend to suppliers of materials and subcontractors and cover building repairs. A lien may also be registered by workers employed on a project.
The Commercial Registrations Division in the Department of Digital Government and Service NL maintains a Registry of Mechanics’ Liens.
The Act has not undergone significant amendments since it was originally enacted. As other provinces and territories have amended their respective legislation in recent years and as Newfoundland and Labrador regularly reviews its legislation to ensure that the best legislation is available for residents of the province, the department is undertaking a review of the Act.
To help inform this review, the department is consulting with key stakeholders that use the Registry of Mechanics’ Liens.
The focus of the review will be on:
- Modifying the time limit for registering liens;
- Establishing a prompt payment framework to provide a remedy for late payments; and
- Establishing an alternative process for timely dispute resolution.
Get Involved
Online Questionnaire
An online questionnaire is available through engageNL to capture all feedback. The questionnaire includes specific questions and provides an opportunity for respondents to include additional suggestions and information. It should take approximately 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire.
This questionnaire will be available on engageNL until May 31, 2024.
Click Here to Complete the Online Questionnaire
If you have any questions related to this questionnaire or require an alternate format, please contact the Department of Digital Government and Service NL at 709-729-0989 or by email at LiensConsult@gov.nl.ca.
Written Submissions
If you prefer to submit a written response, you may prepare a submission responding to the questions.
The deadline for written submissions is May 31, 2024.
Written submissions can be sent by:
Mail: Digital Government and Service NL
West Block, 2nd Floor, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
Email: LiensConsult@gov.nl.ca
Completed questionnaires or written submissions will not be posted on the review website. The personal information of questionnaire respondents or those who have provided a written submission, including their name or personal opinions, will not be published.
How Will Your Input Be Used?
The information received will be reviewed by the Department of Digital Government and Service NL. All feedback will be considered as the Provincial Government explores potential amendments to the Mechanics’ Lien Act.
Privacy Statement
Please do not include your name or any information that could identify you. The collection of information related to this review is done under the authority of section 61(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, for the purpose of collecting public feedback on the Mechanics’ Lien Act.
Any personal information that may be received will be governed in accordance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and will only be used for the purpose of informing participants of public engagement results at the end of the process.
If you have any questions about how this information will be collected, used and disclosed, please contact LiensConsult@gov.nl.ca.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or additional comments regarding the consultations on the Mechanics’ Lien Act, please contact LiensConsult@gov.nl.ca.