S.B. No. 136 Summary

• Establishes lien rights for architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, and professional surveyors on commercial real estate when they enter into written contracts for services.

• Requires professionals to file notarized affidavits with county recorders within 30 days of recordation to perfect liens, including architect name, owner information, legal description of property, contract details, and claim amount.

• Grants professionals two years from affidavit recordation to file suit to enforce liens in common pleas court; liens are extinguished if suit is not filed within this period or within 60 days of written demand from interested parties.

• Establishes procedures for lien release within 30 days of claim satisfaction and allows property owners to substitute financial security (escrow or surety bond) for liens through court approval.

• Subordinates all architect, landscape architect, engineer, and surveyor liens to previously recorded mechanics liens, mortgages, and judgment liens under existing law.