What is a lien?

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A lien is a legal claim against property used to secure payment of a debt. It attaches to the property, not to the person, and stays in place until the debt is paid or the lien is released. Liens can be voluntary, like a mortgage that gives a lender a claim on the property, or involuntary, like a tax lien or a mechanics’ lien for unpaid work. Because the lien sits on the property, it can affect the ability to sell or refinance the property until it’s cured or paid off; the title can’t be transferred free of the lien.

This matches the idea of a claim against property to secure a debt. An insurance policy on the title protects against defects in title, not a debt-related claim. A contract to sell is just an agreement to transfer ownership in the future, not a security against property. A zoning designation governs how land can be used, not debts or claims on the property.