Legal Question in Construction Law in Florida

notice to owner unclaimed

I recently sent a notice to owner that came back unclaimed. Can I still file the lien? The contractor hired us to complete a concrete job and he is also not claiming the notice to owner.


Asked on 8/14/06, 1:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Randall Gilbert Gilbert & Caddy P.A.

Re: notice to owner unclaimed

Read the following statute:

Good Luck,

Randall Gilbert

713.18. Manner of serving notices and other instruments

(1) Service of notices, claims of lien, affidavits, assignments, and other instruments permitted or required under this part, or copies thereof when so permitted or required, unless otherwise specifically provided in this part, must be made by one of the following methods:

(a) By actual delivery to the person to be served; or, if a partnership, to one of the partners; or, if a corporation, to an officer, director, managing agent, or business agent thereof.

(b) By sending the same by registered or certified mail, with postage prepaid, or by overnight or second-day delivery with evidence of delivery.

1. If a notice to owner, a notice to contractor under s. 713.23, or a preliminary notice under s. 255.05 is mailed by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid to the person to be served at any of the addresses set forth in subparagraph 2. within 40 days after the date the lienor first furnishes labor, services, or materials, service of that notice is effective as of the date of mailing if the person who served the notice maintains a registered or certified mail log that shows the registered or certified mail number issued by the United States Postal Service, the name and address of the person served, and the date stamp of the United States Postal Service confirming the date of mailing.

2. If an instrument served pursuant to this section to the last address shown in the notice of commencement or any amendment thereto or, in the absence of a notice of commencement, to the last address shown in the building permit application, or to the last known address of the person to be served, is not received, but is returned as being "refused," "moved, not forwardable," or "unclaimed," or is otherwise not delivered or deliverable through no fault of the person serving the item, then service is effective on the date the notice was sent.

(c) If none of the foregoing methods can be accomplished, by posting on the premises.

(2) If the real property is owned by more than one person or a partnership, a lienor may serve any notices or other papers under this part on any one of such owners or partners, and such notice is deemed notice to all owners and partners.

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Answered on 8/14/06, 3:24 pm


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