Filing deadline

Verified lien statement filed with the Clerk of the District Court (not the register of deeds) of the county where the property lies: original contractors (direct owner privity) have 4 months from last furnishing under K.S.A. 60-1102; subcontractors, suppliers, and others have only 3 months under 60-1103. Contents: owner name, claimant name/address for service, property description, and a reasonably itemized statement of the claim (attached written instrument or promissory note may substitute).

Notice prerequisites

Nothing on commercial work. Residential: a subcontractor/supplier claiming against residential property (1-2 family, non-commercial — including new construction that will become the owner's principal residence) must give the owner a statutory Warning Statement (waived if the claim is $250 or less); on NEW residential property (new 1-2 family structure) the sub/supplier must also file a Notice of Intent to Perform with the district court clerk. Skipping these does not void the lien outright, but the lien is void against a bona fide purchaser whose deed records before a Notice of Intent to Perform; the notice expires 18 months after filing unless a lien is perfected, and after full payment the claimant must file a release of it.

Service on the owner

Subcontractor-tier liens must be served after filing by personal service, restricted mail, or posting on the premises if the owner's address is unknown; service on any one co-owner suffices. The statute is silent on serving a prime contractor's lien.

Enforcement

Foreclosure suit within 1 year of filing the lien statement (or within 1 year of maturity if a promissory note was attached in lieu of itemization); all record lienholders/encumbrancers are necessary parties, and the original contractor is a necessary party to a sub's suit; other claims (e.g., contract) may be joined; no lis pendens requirement mentioned; courts may stay trial to let others file liens on ongoing construction.

K.S.A. 60-1101 through 60-1111, esp. 60-1102, 60-1103, 60-1103a, 60-1103b, 60-1105