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ARTICLE · 16 JULY 2026

Reminder: Lien Rights Are Limited

Beresford Booth
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Under Washington law, “any person furnishing labor, professional services, materials, or equipment for the improvement of real property shall have a lien upon the improvement for the contract price of labor...

United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Aaron Dunn
Aaron Dunn
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Under Washington law, “any person furnishing labor, professional services, materials, or equipment for the improvement of real property shall have a lien upon the improvement for the contract price of labor, professional services, materials, or equipment furnished at the instance of the owner, or the agent or construction agent of the owner.” RCW 60.04.021. Filing a lien against real property is a valuable tool that can lead to payment for sums the person or entity filing the lien is owed and would not have otherwise received. However, lien rights are limited. A recent decision from Division III of the Washington Court of Appeals, Riordan v. Vogt, No. 40995-3-III, 2026 Wash. App. LEXIS 1086 (Ct. App. May 14, 2026) serves as a reminder that lien rights are not available for every service connected to real property.

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