A lien is a claim registered against property as security for a debt owed by the owner, preventing dealings with the title until it is resolved.
A lien is a claim registered against property as security for a debt owed by the owner, preventing dealings with the title until it is resolved.
Statutory land charges (unpaid rates, some council works), charging orders following a court judgment, and certain contractor or supplier claims.
A lien must generally be cleared before title can transfer. Discovering one late is a common cause of delayed settlement.
A lien attaches to the property, not just the person. Unpaid rates follow the land, which is why your lawyer checks and apportions them before settlement.
Not every debt creates a lien. A creditor generally needs a judgment or a statutory right; an ordinary unpaid invoice does not automatically encumber property.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026 · General information only, not legal advice.
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