Can you sell a house with a lien on it in Ohio?
Asked by: Loren O'Connell | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (48 votes)
Yes, you can sell a house with a lien in Ohio, but the lien must generally be paid off at or before closing, typically from the sale proceeds, to provide the buyer with a clear title, which lenders require. While a buyer can agree to purchase with the lien, most standard transactions require the lien to be resolved for a clean title transfer, involving a title search to identify liens and recording a lien release afterward.
Can you sell a house with a lien in Ohio?
Property Can Be Transferred Without Removing Liens
No law requires that liens be removed before title to property is sold or transferred. But if the buyer needs financing or wants clear title, the lien will have to be cleared up.
Can you sell a home with a lien against it?
Yes, you can sell a house with a lien on it. The lien gets paid off at closing using the proceeds from your sale, and the buyer receives a clear title. This happens every day with mortgages, which are technically liens, and it works the same way with other types of liens, too.
How long does a lien stay on your property in Ohio?
A judgment lien on real estate remains in effect for five years. You may not be able to collect a judgment right away through a judgment lien on real estate, but it will ensure that the property cannot be sold or refinanced within the next five years without dealing with your lien.
How do you get around a title with a lien?
Once you have paid off your loan, the lien should be removed by removing the lender from your Certificate of Title. Typically, once you pay off your loan, the lender signs the back of the Certificate of Title to release the title to you.
Can I sell my house with a lien on it? | What types of liens can be placed against my home?
How much does it cost to remove a lien from a property?
The filing fees can vary depending on the court or agency that is handling the lien. For example, if the lien is a federal tax lien, you may have to pay a fee to file a Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien with the county recorder's office. The cost of filing this document can range from $5 to $20.
What happens if there is a lien on a title?
If a car has a lien on it, it means the owner hasn't paid off their car loan yet. The lienholder has a legal right to the vehicle, so you'll need to find out which financial institution, individual, or other third party holds the lien.
Can you lose your home if there is a lien on it?
Once a lien is placed on your home, the creditor can foreclose on the house to recover the debt. A creditor must file and be approved for a property lien through a county records office. Different states may have their own processes for lien filing. Often, the creditor will notify the debtor of the lien.
What are the lien laws in Ohio?
In Ohio, an action to enforce a mechanics lien must be initiated within 6 years from filing of lien. Notice of furnishing due within 21 days of first furnishing labor or materials - or 21 days from filing of notice of commencement. Lien due 75 days from last furnishing labor or materials, 60 days on residential.
What is the statute of limitations on a lien in Ohio?
The fifteen-year limitation period applies to liens and notices of continuation of liens filed before, on, or after the effective date of the amendment of this section by H.B. 699 of the 126th general assembly.
What happens if you buy property that has a lien on it?
A lien is the result of a debt and works as a legal notice that's placed on the property until said debt is paid in full. In the meantime, the title is 'unclear' and a potential title transfer will be hindered by specific limitations. It all depends on the type of lien that's placed on the property.
What are the disadvantages of a lien?
Involuntary liens, such as tax or judgment liens, can negatively impact your credit score and lead to legal actions against your property. Most homeowners have voluntary liens from mortgages, which are typically not harmful if payments are maintained.
How do you sell something with a lien on it?
Selling to a private buyer
If you intend to sell your car to a private party and not a dealer, you are required to pay off the remainder of your loan before doing so. Once paid off, the lienholder will release the lien with your state's transportation agency.
Can a house be sold with a lien?
It is a common misconception that “placing a lien” on someone's property results in a legal prohibition on selling that property. But the reality is that real estate can still generally be validly sold or transferred, with or without a lien.
How long before a debt becomes uncollectible in Ohio?
In Ohio, the statute of limitations (SOL) for most debts is 6 years, starting from the last payment or when the debt became delinquent, but for written contracts, it's generally 8 years under O.R.C. § 2305.06, though some sources cite 6 years for credit cards (based on the date of last payment/activity). A creditor can't sue you after this period, but they can still try informal collection; making a payment or written acknowledgment can "restart" the SOL clock.
How to look up liens on a property in Ohio?
County Recorder's Office:
To find property liens through a county recorder's office, visit the office in person or contact them via phone or email. Inquirers will typically be required to provide information related to the property to facilitate the search.
How long can a lien stay on a property in Ohio?
A judgment lien expires after 5 years from the date it is recorded but may be rerecorded once for another period of 5 years not less than 120 days before the expiration of the initial judgment.
Can someone put a lien on your property without your knowledge?
Yes, a lien can be placed on your house without you knowing, especially with involuntary liens like tax liens, mechanic's liens from unpaid contractors, judgment liens from lawsuits, or child support liens for overdue payments, as these don't always require direct notice before filing in public records. While you might not be directly notified immediately, the lien is recorded publicly, and you often discover it when selling or refinancing, but you can check your county recorder's office for public records to see if any exist.
How to release lien on Ohio title?
To remove the lien from the BMV records, you must take the title to any County Clerk of Courts Title Office and apply for a title. The County Clerk of Courts Title Office will issue you a new paper title. As a precaution, follow up with the BMV to ensure you have a clear title and keep all records in a safe space.
How to get around a lien on a house?
In order to get a lien removed, you must resolve the debt in some manner. This could be meeting the lien's requirements by paying the creditor what you owe. By fulfilling your side of the contract, the creditor must perform their side of the contract and issue a release-of-lien form.
How much does it cost to remove a lien on property?
Removing a property lien costs primarily the amount of the debt owed, plus potential fees for filing a release document (around $20-$100 at the county recorder), and possibly attorney fees if you dispute a wrongful lien or hire legal help, with options like bonding the lien (full amount + fees) also existing for complex cases.
What does a title look like that has a lien on it?
A car lien also affects your vehicle title. Until the loan is fully paid off, the lienholder's name will appear on the title, showing that they have a legal claim to the car. If you financed the car through a bank, credit union, or private lender, their name will be listed as the lienholder on the certificate of title.
What are the conditions for lien?
To establish a valid lien, you generally need an underlying debt, a legal basis (like a contract or statute), proper notice to the property owner (often a preliminary notice), adherence to strict deadlines for filing (which vary by state, often months after work ends), and specific documentation detailing the work, property, and amounts owed, all filed correctly with the relevant authority. Key conditions include proving you're a qualified claimant (e.g., licensed contractor), performing work/supplying materials that benefit the property, and following precise procedural steps, or the lien rights can be lost.
How long does a lien title take?
Some states that process electronic liens print a paper record at this time and mail it to the vehicle owner's address on record. (In general, allow up to three weeks for processing and mailing from the state agency.) Other states keep the title as an electronic record until a paper record is requested.
What are the consequences of having a lien on your house?
When a lien is placed on your home, it creates a legal claim against the property for an unpaid debt, putting a "cloud" on your title that makes it difficult to sell or refinance until the debt is settled; the lienholder has a right to get paid from the sale proceeds or risk foreclosure if the debt isn't paid, potentially affecting your credit and ability to transfer ownership.