Notice to Owner is a formal statutory notice required in Florida and some other states that notifies the property owner that a subcontractor or supplier is working on the project. Unlike a preliminary notice, which is often served on the contractor or lender, Notice to Owner goes directly to the owner and serves as proof that the sub has communicated their presence and intent to preserve lien rights.
Florida’s statute (§ 713.06) requires that subs and suppliers serve Notice to Owner within a specified deadline (typically 45 days from first work) or risk losing mechanics lien rights even if they otherwise qualify. The notice must be served in a prescribed format with specific language and can be served via certified mail, email, or hand delivery depending on the circumstances. Builders and general contractors in Florida must ensure that all subs and suppliers are aware of this requirement and actually send the notices to the owner; failure to do so can result in subs losing their lien rights and then having no recourse if they are not paid. Property owners should keep records of all Notice to Owner documents they receive, as this helps establish the chain of notice and reduces the risk of surprise liens after the project is complete.