NC: Can a subcontractor place a lien on a property if the amount is less than $500?
<p>In NC, can a subcontractor place a mechanic's lien on a property if the amount is less than $500?</p>

<p>The NC lien law is <a href="http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_44A.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Whether one is the initial contractor or a subcontractor, there is no minimum threshold for filing a claim. 44A-8 says that</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Any person who performs or furnishes labor or professional design or
  surveying services or furnishes materials or furnishes rental
  equipment <em>pursuant to a contract, either express or implied, with the
  owner of real property</em> for the making of an improvement thereon
  shall, upon complying with the provisions of this Article, have a
  right to file a claim of lien on real property on the real property to
  secure payment of all debts owing for labor done or professional
  design or surveying services or material furnished or equipment rented
  pursuant to the contract.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>A subcontractor has a contract with a contractor, not the property owner.  44A-18(a) says</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A first tier subcontractor who furnished labor, materials, or rental
  equipment at the site of the improvement shall have a <em>lien upon funds</em>
  that are owed to the contractor with whom the first tier subcontractor
  dealt and that arise out of the improvement on which the first tier
  subcontractor worked or furnished materials.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>That clause means that a subcontractor has a lien on the funds, not the property. 44A-20(d) is the special clause that opens the door wider, since</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If the obligor is an owner of the property being improved, the lien
  claimant shall be entitled to a claim of lien upon real property upon
  the interest of the obligor in the real property to the extent of the
  owner's personal liability under subsection (b) of this
  section...which claim of lien on real property shall be entitled to
  the same priorities and subject to the same filing requirements and
  periods of limitation applicable to the contractor.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(An obligor is defined as "An owner, contractor, or subcontractor in any tier who owes money to another as a result of the other's partial or total performance of a contract to improve real property").</p>

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