2A:44A-1 - Short title
2A:44A-1. Short title
1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Construction Lien Law."
L.1993,c.318,s.1.
2A:44A-2.Definitions relative to construction liens
2. As used in this act:
"Claimant" means a person, as defined in R.S.1:1-2, having the right to file a lien claim on real property pursuant to the provisions of this act.
"Contract" means any agreement, or amendment thereto, in writing, evidencing the respective responsibilities of the contracting parties, which, in the case of a supplier, shall include a delivery or order slip signed by the owner, contractor, or subcontractor having a direct contractual relation with a contractor, or an authorized agent of any of them.
"Contract price" means the amount specified in a contract for the provision of work, services, material or equipment.
"Contractor" means any person in direct privity of contract with the owner of real property for improvements thereto. A construction manager who enters into a single contract with an owner for the performance of all construction work within the scope of a construction manager's contract, a construction manager who enters into a subcontract, or a construction manager who is designated as an owner's agent without entering into a subcontract is also a "contractor" for the purposes of this act. A licensed architect, engineer or land surveyor or certified landscape architect who is not a salaried employee of the contractor or the owner, performing professional services related to the improvement of property in direct contract with the property owner shall be considered a "contractor" for the purposes of this act.
"County clerk" means the clerk of the county in which real property to be improved is situated.
"Equipment" means any machinery or other apparatus, including rental equipment delivered to the site to be improved or used on the site to be improved, for incorporation in the improved real property or for use in the construction of the improvement of the real property but not incorporated therein. A lien for equipment shall arise only for equipment used on site for the improvement of real property, including equipment installed in the improved real property. In the case of rental equipment, the amount of any lien shall be limited to the rental rates as set forth in the rental contract.
"Filing" means the lodging for record and indexing of the documents authorized to be filed or recorded pursuant to this act in the office of the county clerk, or, in the case of real property located in more than one county, in the office of the county clerk of each such county.
"Improvement" means any actual or proposed physical changes to real property by the provision of work or services by a contractor or subcontractor, pursuant to the terms of a contract, whether or not such physical change is undertaken, and includes the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, demolition or removal of any building or structure, any addition to a building or structure, or any construction or fixture necessary or appurtenant to a building or structure for use in conjunction therewith. "Improvement" includes excavation, digging, drilling, drainage, dredging, filling, irrigation, land clearance, grading or landscaping. "Improvement" shall not include the mining of minerals or removal of timber, gravel, soil, or sod which is not integral to or necessitated by the improvement to real property. "Improvement" shall not include public works or improvements to real property contracted for and awarded by a public entity. Any work or services requiring a license for performance including, but not limited to, architectural, engineering, plumbing or electrical construction, shall not constitute an improvement unless performed by a licensed claimant.
"Interest in real property" means any ownership, possessory security or other enforceable interest, including, but not limited to, fee title, easement rights, covenants or restrictions, leases and mortgages.
"Lien" or "construction lien" means a lien on the owner's interest in the real property arising pursuant to the provisions of this act.
"Material" means any goods delivered to, or used on the site to be improved, for incorporation in the improved real property, or for consumption as normal waste in construction operations; or for use on site in the construction or operation of equipment used in the improvement of the real property but not incorporated therein. The term "material" does not include fuel provided for use in motor vehicles or equipment delivered to or used on the site to be improved.
"Mortgage" means a loan which is secured by a lien on real property.
"Owner" or "owner of real property" means any person, including a tenant, with an estate or interest in real property who personally or through an authorized agent enters into a contract for improvement of the real property.
"Public entity" includes the State, and any county, municipality, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision or public body in the State.
"Residential construction contract" means any written contract for the construction or improvement to a one- or two-family dwelling, or any portion of the dwelling, which shall include any residential unit in a condominium subject to the provisions of P.L.1969, c.257 (C.46:8B-1 et seq.), any residential unit in a housing cooperative, any residential unit contained in a fee simple townhouse development, any residential unit contained in a horizontal property regime as defined in section 2 of P.L.1963, c.168 (C.46:8A-2), and any residential unit contained in a planned unit development as defined in section 3.3 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-6).
"Residential purchase agreement" means a written contract between a buyer and a seller for the purchase of a one- or two-family dwelling, any residential unit in a condominium subject to the provisions of P.L.1969, c.257 (C.46:8B-1 et seq.), any residential unit in a housing cooperative, any residential unit contained in a fee simple townhouse development, any residential unit contained in a horizontal property regime as defined in section 2 of P.L.1963, c.168 (C.46:8A-2), and any residential unit contained in a planned unit development as defined in section 3.3 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-6).
"Services" means professional services performed by a licensed architect, engineer or land surveyor or certified landscape architect who is not a salaried employee of the contractor, a subcontractor or the owner and who is in direct privity of contract with the owner for the preparation of plans, documents, studies, or the provision of other services by a licensed architect, engineer or land surveyor prepared in connection with a proposed or an actual physical change to real property, whether or not such physical change is undertaken.
"State" means the State of New Jersey and any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission or agency of the State.
"Subcontractor" means any person providing work or services in connection with the improvement of real property pursuant to a contract with a contractor or pursuant to a contract with a subcontractor in direct privity of contract with a contractor.
"Supplier" means any supplier of material or equipment, including rental equipment, having a direct privity of contract with an owner, contractor or subcontractor in direct privity of contract with a contractor. The term "supplier" shall not include a person who supplies fuel for use in motor vehicles or equipment delivered to or used on the site to be improved or a seller of personal property who has a security agreement providing a right to perfect either a security interest pursuant to Title 12A of the New Jersey Statutes or a lien against the motor vehicle pursuant to applicable law.
"Work" means any activity, including labor, performed in connection with the improvement of real property. The term "work" includes architectural, engineering or surveying services provided by salaried employees of a contractor or subcontractor, as part of the work of the contractor or subcontractor, provided, however, that the right to file a lien claim for those services shall be limited to the contractor or subcontractor.
L.1993,c.318,s.2; amended 1995,c.392,s.1.