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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 4Pt. 6Ch. 4Art. 4§ 8448 Residential Unit Lien Timing

§ 8448 Residential Unit Lien Timing

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8448 Residential Unit Lien Timing

Key Takeaways

  • •Each home or condo in a big building project is treated like its own separate project.
  • •If you work on one home, you have to file your lien (a legal claim for unpaid work) for that home alone, not the whole building.
  • •If you can’t figure out how much stuff (like materials) went into each home, you can still ask for payment for all the homes you worked on.

Example

A builder works on a big apartment building with 10 units. They install floors in all 10 but don’t get paid.

The builder has to file a lien for each unit they worked on, not the whole building. If they can’t track how much flooring went into each unit, they can still ask for payment for all the work they did.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8448 Residential Unit Lien Timing

(a) As used in this section, “separate residential unit” means one residential structure, including a residential structure containing multiple condominium units, together with any common area, garage, or other appurtenant improvements. (b) If a work of improvement consists of the construction of two or more separate residential units: (1) Each unit is deemed a separate work of improvement, and completion of each unit is determined separately for purposes of the time for recording a claim of lien on that unit. This paragraph does not affect any lien right under Section 8402 or 8446. (2) Material provided for the work of improvement is deemed to be provided for use or consumption in each separate residential unit in which the material is actually used or consumed; but if the claimant is unable to segregate the amounts used or consumed in separate residential units, the claimant has the right to all the benefits of Section 8446. (Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 697, Sec. 20. (SB 189) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative July 1, 2012, by Sec. 105 of Ch. 697 and by Section 8052.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

separate residential unitwork of improvementclaim of lienSection 8446

Related Statutes

  • § 4620 Lien Notice To Members
  • § 6660 Lien Notice To Members
  • § 8412 Contractor Lien Filing Deadlines
  • § 8414 Lien Enforcement Deadlines
  • § 8440 Mechanic'S Lien Attachment Scope

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 8448.
View Official Source