A mechanic’s / materialman’s lien on real property in Tennessee is a very powerful tool. When a contractor asserts a lien, that lien, effectively, ties up the property until the contractor’s claims are resolved.
It’s a huge bargaining chip: The property owner can’t sell, transfer, pledge, or, generally, do anything with the property until the contractor’s lien is released.
That’s likely why the Tennessee Legislature passed
Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-21-108, which imposes harsh penalties on people who file invalid liens on real property.
So, if you’re a property owner who wants to fight a mechanic’s lien, is there anything you can do to get it removed, in lieu of payment or litigation?
Yes, you can record a bond to indemnify against the lien and get it discharged. That bond process is described at Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-11-142. In essence, the bond replaces the lien and ensures payment to the contractor, in the event the lien is deemed valid.
With a bond in place, the property can be transferred, and the lien claimant proceeds against the bond for cash, which is all they wanted in the first place.
Creditors Rights 101 