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Specific Form RequiredArizona sets out a required lien waiver template by statute. In order to be valid, an Arizona lien waiver must follow that template. Notarization Not RequiredArizona lien waivers are not required to be notarized, and should not be notarized. Cannot Waive Rights in ContractNo, Arizona statute specifically prohibits this practice. Any contract term to that effect shall be void. Can Waive Rights Before PaymentThere is no specific prohibition on waiving lien rights prior to payment, provided that the statutory lien waiver form is used.
Arizona lien waivers are regulated by statute. The rules, forms, and procedures are specific. If you’re involved in an Arizona construction job, it’s important to understand the lien waiver requirements, and to adhere to them during the payment and lien waiver exchange process. Using lien waivers in ArizonaLien waivers — also called lien releases — are simply documents exchanged at the time of payment on a construction job. Frequently, subcontractors provide lien waivers along with their payment applications or invoices. It’s common for a signed lien waiver to be a prerequisite to having a contractor’s pay application approved, and payment issued. The process of requesting, sending, collecting, and tracking lien waivers can be complicated since the documents have required legal elements (especially in Arizona), and because lien waivers must be collected across so many parties (i.e. subcontractors, general contractors, suppliers, etc.). Lien waivers act as a “receipt” of funds. Construction lenders, property developers, and general contractors rely on signed lien waivers to verify that a subcontractor has paid its suppliers and vendors. Primarily, having this verification is why lien waivers are requested in Arizona. Subcontractors and suppliers, however, sign lien waivers and adhere to waiver requests to clear the path for payment. There is some friction between Arizona job participants about when and how the lien waiver & payment is exactly exchanged. Arizona lien waiver lawsThe lien waiver laws in Arizona make this a bit easier to handle than in other states that do not have clear waiver regulations. As such, while it’s a bummer to have additional compliance matters on an Arizona project, there are big pay-offs, since an unregulated lien waiver environment can be really murky, messy, and problematic.
The lien waiver statutes are relatively straightforward. Arizona is one of the 12 states that provide statutory lien waiver forms. Failure to use these forms, using the wrong form, or attempts to modify the waiver language will result in the lien waiver being invalid and unenforceable. It’s really that simple. This is an attempt to level the playing field and simplify the waiver exchange process. In states that do not provide statutory forms, there is an inherent risk of abuse. Many higher tier parties will include additional language that waives more contract and mechanics lien rights than originally anticipated. While the Arizona lien waiver form templates are laid out and seem straightforward, mistakes can still be made. It’s important to understand Arizona’s lien waiver requirements to avoid these errors. Arizona lien waiver guidesThe information on this page provides frequently asked questions, forms, guides, and other helpful information on Arizona Lien Waivers. If you want to dig in more specifically, here are specific guides on the 4 different types of Arizona lien waivers, including a step-by-step walkthrough on how to fill out those forms:
Free Arizona Lien Waivers Forms & TemplatesArizona has specific lien waiver forms that must be used by everyone on an Arizona construction project. The forms provided here for free by Levelset are compliant with the Arizona rules. You can download them free, or use our free system to send or request your compliant Arizona lien waiver form. Free Arizona Lien Waiver FormsThese Arizona lien waiver forms are compliant with the state's requirements. Make it easy, and use forms from the source you can trust. Arizona Lien Waivers FAQsLien waiver forms, requirements, and rules will vary from state-to-state. Some states -- like Arizona -- have more detailed regulations over lien waivers than others. This is a gift! Arizona has very clear requirements about the lien waiver exchange process, which makes things easier for everyone involved with an Arizona construction project. These lien waiver documents are super important to the payment process. When done wrong, it can result in some very expensive problems. Below are some frequently asked questions about the lien waiver laws and requirements in Arizona, with answers written by construction lawyers and other payment experts. Arizona Lien Waiver Frequently Asked Questionshttps://www.levelset.com/lien-waivers/arizona-lien-waiver-faqs/#faq-item-do-i-need-to-use-a-specific-lien-waiver-form-in-arizona Do I need to use a specific lien waiver form in Arizona?https://www.levelset.com/lien-waivers/arizona-lien-waiver-faqs/#faq-item-when-do-arizona-lien-waivers-become-binding When do Arizona lien waivers become binding?https://www.levelset.com/lien-waivers/arizona-lien-waiver-faqs/#faq-item-can-a-contractor-or-supplier-waive-their-lien-rights-in-their-contract Can a contractor or supplier waive their lien rights in their contract?In Arizona, the answer is no. Arizona’s lien waiver laws specifically prohibit contract provisions that waive lien rights prior to performing work. At Levelset, we like to call these “no-lien clauses,” and we’ve written about them extensively. Basically, a “no lien clause” is a clause put into a construction contract requiring contractors or suppliers to waive their lien rights on the job. Even though these clauses are illegal in Arizona and in most states, it is a surprisingly common practice. Many property developers and general contractors think they can put a provision in the construction contract to prohibit subcontractors and suppliers from filing a lien on the job. Many also confuse these “no lien clause” provisions with a common construction contract provision that requires a party “to keep a property free and clear of liens.” These are not the same thing. The “no lien clause” is asking someone to give up their own lien rights. The “free and clear of liens” clause simply requires someone to handle a mechanics lien filing if one is made on the job (i.e. by paying it, bonding it off, etc.). In any event, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers are incapable of waiving their lien rights before starting work on the job. Even if they sign a contract saying they waive their lien rights, in Arizona, this will be illegal and unenforceable. https://www.levelset.com/lien-waivers/arizona-lien-waiver-faqs/#faq-item-can-a-contractor-or-supplier-waive-their-lien-rights-after-work-begins-but-before-payment-is-made Can a contractor or supplier waive their lien rights after work begins, but before payment is made?Maybe. It may be possible to waive lien rights in Arizona after work has started, but before payment is made. This question is common because of the unconditional lien waiver form. Construction lenders, property developers, and general contractors commonly seek unconditional lien waivers before payment is made. The question here is whether signing such an unconditional form before receiving payment would actually result in an effective waiving of lien rights. In some states, the laws specifically provide that this would not be effective. However, Arizona is not one of those states. There is no specific statutory prohibition providing a lien waiver in advance of payment. In Arizona, therefore, it may be possible to waive lien rights with an unconditional lien waiver before payment. But a lot of things would have to be right, such as:
It’s also possible to waive lien rights even when you don’t intend to waive lien rights. We wrote about an example of this in Arizona Lien Waiver Through Date: Mistakes Can Result In Lost Lien Rights, calling the “through date” field the most important part of an Arizona lien waiver. A little mistake with this field, and a contractor may wind up waiving their lien rights without intending it…and maybe even before payment. In one case, an Arizona contractor who signed an unconditional waiver was actually required to pay back the nearly $200K they received after the GC went bankrupt. Because unconditional lien waivers are not always necessary in Arizona, especially on smaller projects, it’s critical to understand how the law affects your rights before signing an unconditional waiver. https://www.levelset.com/lien-waivers/arizona-lien-waiver-faqs/#faq-item-must-an-arizona-lien-waiver-be-notarized Must an Arizona lien waiver be notarized?No, Arizona lien waivers do not need to be notarized, even though it’s common for contractors to ask for notarized waivers. In fact, it’s possible that notarizing your Arizona lien waiver could invalidate it since it would alter the statutory form. Accordingly, it’s best practice NOT to notarize an Arizona lien waiver. https://www.levelset.com/lien-waivers/arizona-lien-waiver-faqs/#faq-item-do-arizona-lien-waivers-waive-all-of-my-rights Do Arizona lien waivers waive all of my rights?That depends. The statutory progress payment waivers include a section that states that the waiver and release, “does not cover any retention, pending modifications, and changes or items furnished after” the “through date.” The final payment form provides a less comprehensive section which covers all labor and materials “except for disputed claims in the amount of [$__].” Need More Help With Arizona Lien Waivers? We're Here.How to file a lien in ArizonaNeed to file a Arizona mechanics lien? File your mechanics lien with Levelset, the lien experts quickly and easily. Or you can follow the 3 steps below to file a lien yourself with Levelset's free information. File with the Mechanics Lien Experts We’re the Mechanics Lien experts. With us it’s fast, easy, affordable, and done right! File Now Want to Learn More about How Arizona Contractors Pay? Paradise Valley Unified School Dist 69 Gti Commercial Contractors TCK Air Conditioning & Heating See other Lists of Contractors and How to Best Work With Them Helping Thousands Of Contractors Like You With Alabama Lien WaiversAll Construction Payment TopicsWhat is an unconditional release on final payment?The Unconditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment form is used when the claimant is required to execute a waiver in exchange for a final payment, and the claimant acknowledges that final payment has been received.
What is the difference between conditional and unconditional release?Lien waivers generally come in two forms: conditional and unconditional. In a nutshell, conditional lien waivers show how much money is owing through a particular date, and unconditional lien waivers show how much money has been paid for work through a particular date.
What is an unconditional release?An unconditional release means no restrictions are imposed on the release of the lien. This type of lien release is typically used in final project documents to verify the project completion, payment finalization, and your release of all future rights to file liens on the project.
Does Arizona have statutory lien waivers?Lien waivers are regulated in Arizona, and the state provides statutory lien waiver forms that must be used. In Arizona, a contractor or supplier cannot waive their lien rights in a contract. Arizona lien waivers do not need to be notarized.
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