{"id":369078,"date":"2019-11-07T15:28:37","date_gmt":"2019-11-07T20:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/buying-a-home\/house-sold-with-a-lien-can-i-sue.html"},"modified":"2022-12-19T16:22:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T21:22:08","slug":"house-sold-with-a-lien-can-i-sue","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/buying-a-home\/house-sold-with-a-lien-can-i-sue.html","title":{"rendered":"House Sold With a Lien: Can I Sue?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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House Sold With a Lien: Can I Sue?<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Chris Meyers, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Yes, you may be able to sue if you bought a house with a lien and weren’t aware of it. Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against the seller, the title company, or even the lien holder.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

 A lien on a property can create significant problems. Because of the scale of personal investment involved, issues regarding the financial aspect of homeownership can be unnerving. This is especially true for any potential restrictive liens.<\/p>\r\n

Discovering a lien on your property can be devastating. It is essential to understand liens, how they work, and your options to resolve any issues that arise.<\/p>\r\n

This article outlines your legal options if you unknowingly buy a real estate property with a lien. You can also consult a real estate attorney<\/a> for legal advice specific to your situation. An attorney can investigate whether the lien should have been discovered during the title search. They can also determine if you have grounds to sue the title company or seller for failing to disclose it.<\/p>\r\n

Can You Sue if Your House Had a Lien on It When You Purchased It?<\/h2>\r\n

Generally, a title search will determine whether a property has a lien on it. It is uncommon for people to purchase property with a lien on it because property usually cannot be sold until any liens are satisfied. But liens in the name of previous owners can sometimes go unnoticed in a deed<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

These situations become complicated quickly, and navigating this type of legal territory alone can be challenging. If you are having issues with liens on your property, a real estate attorney <\/a>in your area can help. <\/p>\r\n

What Is a Lien?<\/h2>\r\n

A creditor is someone who has not been paid and may want to collect money from the debtor by claiming a share of something of value that the debtor owns. If someone is unable to pay their debts<\/a>, that claim on the debtor’s property may become a lien. If a lien is placed on the property, the creditor may get reimbursed if the property is sold.<\/p>\r\n

Liens can be placed on all kinds of property. But they are usually placed on the most valuable items a debtor owns, like real estate, vehicles, or boats. This is because this type of property will usually cover or significantly contribute to the amount owed.<\/p>\r\n

What Does a Lien Do<\/h2>\r\n

Once filed, a lien limits the property owner’s ability to transfer ownership of the property’s title. The lien must be satisfied before the lien property is sold. There are different types of liens<\/a>. Some of the common types of liens include:<\/p>\r\n