Tex. Prop. Code Section 53.254
Contractual Requirements for Lien on Homestead


(a)

To fix a lien on a homestead, the person who is to furnish material or perform labor and the owner must execute a written contract setting forth the terms of the agreement.

(b)

The contract must be executed before the material is furnished or the labor is performed.

(c)

If the owner is married, the contract must be signed by both spouses.

(d)

If the contract is made by an original contractor, the contract inures to the benefit of all persons who labor or furnish material for the original contractor.

(e)

The contract must be filed with the county clerk of the county in which the homestead is located. The county clerk shall record the contract in records kept for that purpose.

(f)

An affidavit for lien filed under this subchapter that relates to a homestead must contain the following notice conspicuously printed, stamped, or typed in a size equal to at least 10-point boldface or the computer equivalent, at the top of the page:
“NOTICE: THIS IS NOT A LIEN. THIS IS ONLY AN AFFIDAVIT CLAIMING A LIEN.”

(g)

For the lien on a homestead to be valid, the notice required to be given to the owner under Subchapter C must include or have attached the following statement:
"If a subcontractor or supplier who furnishes materials or performs labor for construction of improvements on your property is not paid, your property may be subject to a lien for the unpaid amount if:

(1)

after receiving notice of the unpaid claim from the claimant, you fail to withhold payment to your contractor that is sufficient to cover the unpaid claim until the dispute is resolved; or

(2)

during construction and for 30 days after completion of your contractor’s work, you fail to reserve 10 percent of the contract price or 10 percent of the value of the work performed by your contractor.
“If you have complied with the law regarding the reservation of 10 percent of the contract price or value of work and you have withheld payment to the contractor sufficient to cover any written notice of claim and have paid that amount, if any, to the claimant, any lien claim filed on your property by a subcontractor or supplier, other than a person who contracted directly with you, will not be a valid lien on your property. In addition, except for the required 10 percent reservation, you are not liable to a subcontractor or supplier for any amount paid to your contractor before you received written notice of the claim.”
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 526, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 690 (H.B. 2237), Sec. 32, eff. January 1, 2022.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 690 (H.B. 2237), Sec. 33, eff. January 1, 2022.

Source: Section 53.254 — Contractual Requirements for Lien on Homestead, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.­53.­htm#53.­254 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

53.001
Definitions
53.002
More than One Original Contractor
53.003
Notices
53.021
Persons Entitled to Lien
53.022
Property to Which Lien Extends
53.023
Payment Secured by Lien
53.024
Limitation on Subcontractor’s Lien
53.025
Limitation on Ordinary Retainage Lien
53.026
Sham Contract
53.051
Necessary Procedures
53.052
Filing of Affidavit
53.054
Contents of Affidavit
53.055
Notice of Filed Affidavit
53.056
Derivative Claimant: Notice to Owner and Original Contractor
53.057
Derivative Claimant: Notice of Claim for Unpaid Retainage
53.081
Authority to Withhold Funds for Benefit of Claimants
53.082
Time for Which Funds Are Withheld
53.084
Owner’s Liability
53.085
Affidavit Required
53.101
Funds Required to Be Reserved
53.102
Payment Secured by Reserved Funds
53.103
Lien on Reserved Funds
53.104
Preferences
53.105
Owner’s Liability for Failure to Reserve Funds
53.106
Affidavit of Completion
53.107
Notice Relating to Termination of Work or Abandonment of Performance by Original Contractor or Owner
53.121
Preference over Other Creditors
53.122
Equality of Mechanic’s Liens
53.123
Priority of Mechanic’s Lien over Other Liens
53.124
Inception of Mechanic’s Lien
53.151
Enforcement of Remedies Against Money Due Original Contractor or Subcontractor
53.152
Release of Claim or Lien
53.153
Defense of Actions
53.154
Foreclosure
53.155
Transfer of Property Sold
53.156
Costs and Attorney’s Fees
53.157
Discharge of Lien
53.158
Period for Bringing Suit to Foreclose Lien
53.159
Obligation to Furnish Information
53.160
Summary Motion to Remove Invalid or Unenforceable Lien
53.161
Bond Requirements After Order to Remove
53.162
Revival of Removed Lien
53.171
Bond
53.172
Bond Requirements
53.173
Notice of Bond
53.174
Recording of Bond and Notice
53.175
Action on Bond
53.201
Bond
53.202
Bond Requirements
53.203
Recording of Bond and Contract
53.204
Reliance on Record
53.205
Enforceable Claims
53.206
Perfection of Claim
53.207
Owner’s Notice of Claim to Surety
53.208
Action on Bond
53.210
Claims in Excess of Bond Amount
53.211
Attempted Compliance
53.231
Lien
53.232
To Whom Notice Given
53.233
Contents of Notice
53.234
Time for Notice
53.235
Official to Retain Funds
53.236
Bond for Release of Lien
53.237
Bond Requirements
53.238
Notice of Bond
53.239
Action on Bond
53.251
Procedures for Residential Construction Projects
53.254
Contractual Requirements for Lien on Homestead
53.255
Disclosure Statement Required for Residential Construction Contract
53.256
List of Subcontractors and Suppliers
53.257
Provisions Related to Closing of Loan for Construction of Improvements
53.258
Disbursements of Funds
53.259
Final Bills-paid Affidavit Required
53.260
Conveyance to Contractor Not Required
53.281
Waiver and Release of Lien or Payment Bond Claim
53.282
Conditions for Waiver, Release, or Impairment of Lien or Payment Bond Claim
53.283
Unconditional Waiver and Release: Payment Required
53.284
Forms for Waiver and Release of Lien or Payment Bond Claim
53.286
Public Policy
53.287
Certain Agreements Exempt

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 53.254’s source at texas​.gov