Roger Morph 
Property liens are some of the most common liens around. Creditors place them on properties to ensure that parties are able to pay back a debt, even if the property needs to be sold. While information about liens tends to be available to the public, unfortunately, finding information about them can be tricky, especially if you don’t know where to begin.
The good news is that this guide is here to help. Read on to learn more about how to look up lien on property.
What Is a Lien?
A lien is a unique type of transaction that’s placed on someone’s belongings. Liens are a security interest to secure a debt that someone owes. For example, a lien can be placed on a vehicle or another item to ensure that a debt is paid, even if the person or party is unable to make the payments.
If someone defaults on a vehicle that has a lien on it, for example, the party that holds the debt can take that vehicle. Essentially, this is how it works for most types of liens.
What Is a Property Lien?
A property lien is a lien that’s placed on someone’s property. If someone owes a home, for example, the lien will be placed on the home, and if they’re unable to pay the debt, the party that holds the lien can sell the property. These liens can be held by private organizations, but also by the government, businesses, and other parties.
Property liens don’t just apply to residential properties, either, because commercial properties can have liens on them as well.
How to Look Up Lien on Property
Whether you’re buying a property or you’re just curious about how your neighbor is doing, it’s not a bad idea to look up liens. Thankfully, finding a lien on a property isn’t too difficult. It all comes down to knowing where to look, and we cover some of the best options below.
1. CheckPeople
The best way to look up if there is a lien on a property is to use a tool like CheckPeople’s search engine. This is an online platform that helps you find all available public records associated with an address, and this includes information about any liens.
Depending on the information you have, you can find out if there is a lien in someone’s name by using the general people search tool, or you can use the address or phone number lookup tools if you have that information. Ultimately, it depends on the information you have available.
What makes CheckPeople one of the best options is how easy it is to use. Simply enter the information you have available, and let the tool do the rest. From there, you can open the full report to learn all available details about a property.
2. Checking With Local County Offices
Liens on a property tend to be public records, so if you know where they’re recorded, you can visit the office to find details about them. Information about liens is usually found in the county clerk’s office, but it can also be found in an assessor’s office or through a county recorder. Ultimately, it depends on the county’s process.
To view the records, you’ll need to identify the property. Then, you can submit a request online for the office to mail you the information. In other cases, you may want to visit the office or check for online databases. Ultimately, it comes down to the specific county office because they all tend to handle records differently.
3. Work With a Title Company
Title companies can help you find a lien on a property. These are companies that may have access to third-party databases and tools that make the process hassle-free. This is because title companies ensure that you don’t end up on the hook for a lien on a property that you’re buying.
Working with a title company is one of the best methods, but it’s not for everyone. Ultimately, title companies are only a good choice if you plan on buying a property. If you’re not, unfortunately, it may be a waste of time and money.
Our Final Thoughts on How to Look Up Lien on Property
Once you learn how to look up a lien on a property, you have all the tools you need to make an informed decision on a property. What’s more, you can satisfy your curiosity about a neighbor or figure out if any liens are showing up on your record.
That said, we always recommend starting with a reliable tool like CheckPeople. This is because it can save you time and money, while being among the most accurate options around.
