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Lien waiver: what it means

A lien waiver is a document in which a contractor, subcontractor or materials supplier states that it has been paid and gives up its right to place a lien on your home to collect for that work. The CFPB recommends asking your contractors for one at the start and at each stage of a repair.

In Spanish it is

Renuncia de gravamen (lien waiver)

Also written as: mechanic's lien waiver · waiver and release of lien

Verified on October 17, 2026

2 official sources

See the whole dictionary

The full explanation

In Texas, the law says a waiver is valid only if it substantially follows one of the official forms and is signed by the person claiming payment. A conditional waiver takes effect when the bank pays the check, and no one may require an unconditional waiver without having paid that amount.

An example

After the hurricane, Ana pays the roofer for the first stage of the work. Before paying for the next one, she asks for a signed lien waiver for that payment, so he cannot place a lien on her home over that bill.

You will see it in…

The papers your contractor gives you with each payment
The contract to repair or remodel your home
Stage payments for a major repair after a disaster

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

More guides that use “lien waiver”

What a repair quote must include

Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

What a housing counselor does See free help

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

1. CFPB · Start recovering and rebuilding your financial life (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
2. Texas Legislature · Texas Property Code, Chapter 53, Subchapter L: waiver and release of lien or payment bond claim (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026