N.Y. Lien Law Section 5
Liens under contracts for public improvements

A person performing labor for or furnishing materials to a contractor, his or her subcontractor or legal representative, for the construction or demolition of a public improvement pursuant to a contract by such contractor with the state or a public corporation, and any trust fund to which benefits and wage supplements are due or payable for the benefit of such person performing labor, shall have a lien for the principal and interest of the value or agreed price of such labor, including benefits and wage supplements due or payable for the benefit of any person performing labor, or materials upon the moneys of the state or of such corporation applicable to the construction or demolition of such improvement, to the extent of the amount due or to become due on such contract, and under a judgment of the court of claims awarded to the contractor for damages arising from the breach of such contract by the state, or awarded for furnishing labor or materials not contemplated by the provisions of said contract, upon filing a notice of lien as prescribed in this article, except as hereinafter in this article provided. Where no public fund has been established for the financing of a public improvement with estimated cost in excess of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, the chief financial officer of the public owner shall require the private entity for whom the public improvement is being made to post, or cause to be posted, a bond or other form of undertaking guaranteeing prompt payment of moneys due to the contractor, his or her subcontractors and to all persons furnishing labor or materials to the contractor or his or her subcontractors in the prosecution of the work on the public improvement.

Source: Section 5 — Liens under contracts for public improvements, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/LIE/5 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 15, 2025).

3
Mechanic’s lien on real property 4
Extent of lien 4‑A
Insurance proceeds liable for demands 5
Liens under contracts for public improvements 6
Liens for labor on railroads 7
Liability for advance payments, collusive mortgages and incumbrances 8
Terms of contract may be demanded 9
Contents of notice of lien 10
Filing of notice of lien 11
Service of copy of notice of lien 11‑A
Notice of completion and acceptance may be demanded 11‑B
Copy of notice of lien to a contractor or subcontractor 11‑C
Copy of notice of lien to a contractor or subcontractor with respect to public improvements liens 12
Notice of lien on account of public improvements 12‑A
Amendment 13
Priority of liens 14
Assignment of lien 15
Assignments of contracts and orders to be filed 16
Assignment of contracts and orders for public improvement to be filed 17
Duration of lien 18
Duration of lien under contract for a public improvement 19
Discharge of lien for private improvement 20
Discharge of lien after notice of lien filed by payment of money into court 21
Discharge of lien for public improvement 21‑A
Vacating lien for a public improvement, by order of court 22
Building loan contract 23
Construction of article 24
Enforcement of mechanic’s lien 25
Priority of liens and assignments under contracts for public improvements 26
Subordination of liens after agreement with owner 28
Lien of certain judgments postponed 29
Subordination of liens to subsequent mortgage 30
Subordination of notices of lis pendens 31
Discharge of liens on sale of real property 32
Certain liens and claims not to be affected 33
Certain sections not to apply to laborers’ liens 34
Waiver of lien 35
Waiver of arbitration 37
Bond to discharge all liens 38
Itemized statement may be required of lienor 39
Lien wilfully exaggerated is void 39‑A
Liability of lienor where lien has been declared void on account of wilful exaggeration 39‑C
Repossession of materials not used
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Feb. 15, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 5’s source at nysenate​.gov

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