NHNew Hampshire
New Hampshire Lien Law Deadlines for Suppliers and Subcontractors
New Hampshire suppliers and subcontractors must give the owner written notice before furnishing and secure the lien by attachment in a court action within 120 days. Nothing is recorded with the county first: the lien lasts 120 days and then expires unless it is attached.
Public date calculations cover Florida and Kansas. New Hampshire dates require qualified review.
Risk context
New Hampshire is High Risk for Suppliers
New Hampshire's lien lasts only 120 days, and there is no county filing to fall back on. You secure it by suing and attaching the property within that window. The notice to the owner before you furnish also matters: send it late and your lien shrinks to what is then due, or later becomes due, to the contractor.
Deadline schedule
New Hampshire Mechanics Lien Deadlines (Updated 2026)
Scroll sideways to see all deadline details.
| Deadline Type | Timing | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lien Attachment Deadline | 120 days from last furnishing | New Hampshire liens are not recorded as a standalone filing. The lien arises automatically and lasts 120 days after the labor is performed or the materials are furnished, so do not let early unpaid deliveries age. Secure it by attachment in a court action within that time; the writ of attachment is filed at the registry of deeds (RSA 447:9, 447:10, 511-A:8). |
| Preliminary Notice | Written notice to the owner before furnishing | If you do not contract with the owner, give the owner or the person in charge of the property written notice before you furnish. A late notice limits your lien to what is then due, or later becomes due, to the contractor (RSA 447:5, 447:6). |
| 30-Day Account | At least every 30 days | After giving notice, give the owner an itemized written account at least once every 30 days (RSA 447:8). |
| Construction Lender Notice | Within 15 business days | Notify the construction lender within 15 business days after the lender's posting or after you start furnishing, whichever is later. Missing it does not by itself invalidate the lien (RSA 447:12-b). |
| Enforcement Deadline | 120 days after last furnishing | Lawsuit to foreclose on the lien must be filed by this date. In New Hampshire that means starting the court action and securing the attachment within the 120 days; attachment can be sought ex parte, and the owner can ask for a prompt hearing (RSA 447:10, 511-A:8). |
| Statutes | Governing statutes | N.H. Rev. Stat. §447:2 et seq.; RSA 511-A:8 on attachment. |
Supplier pitfalls
Common Supplier Mistakes in New Hampshire
Supplying before giving written notice
New Hampshire's notice goes to the owner before you furnish. If it is late, your lien is limited to what is then due, or later becomes due, to the contractor.
Looking for a county office to record in
There is no county lien filing in New Hampshire. The lien is secured by attachment in a court action, and the writ of attachment is then filed at the registry of deeds.
Letting 120 days pass without an attachment
The lien lasts only 120 days. If you have not secured it by attachment by then, it is gone.
Deadline calculator
Not Sure Which New Hampshire Deadline Applies?
Use this New Hampshire guide and collect your project facts for qualified review.
Review New Hampshire project factsThe public calculator provides dates only for reviewed Florida and Kansas scenarios; it does not calculate a New Hampshire date.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the New Hampshire lien law deadlines?
Give the owner written notice before you furnish, send an itemized account at least every 30 days, and secure the lien by attachment in a court action within 120 days after the labor or materials are furnished.
Does New Hampshire require a preliminary notice?
Yes, if you do not contract with the owner. Give the owner or the person in charge of the property written notice before you furnish. A late notice does not end the lien, but it limits it to what is then due, or later becomes due, to the contractor (RSA 447:5, 447:6). See our preliminary notice deadline guide for building notice into intake.
Do I record a New Hampshire lien with the county?
No. The lien arises automatically and lasts 120 days. You secure it by attachment in a court action within that time, and the writ of attachment is filed at the registry of deeds. Attachment can be sought ex parte, and the owner can ask for a prompt hearing (RSA 447:10, 511-A:8).
Are these the 2024 New Hampshire lien law deadlines?
Yes. RSA 447:5, 447:6, and 447:8 were last amended in 2012, effective January 1, 2013, and RSA 447:9 in 1991, so the notice and 120-day rules applied in 2024 and remain current as of our September 2026 review.
Important note