This article provides definitions for some of the most common document types and lien classifications identified within Property Intelligence and Monitoring's (PIM) Voluntary Lien Analysis (VLA) and Special Lien Analysis (SLA) services.
A few important notes regarding this reference:
This document is intended for reference purposes only and is designed to provide additional context around commonly encountered document and lien types within PIM.
The examples included are not an exhaustive list of all document types or lien classifications that may be identified by the platform. Recording practices, naming conventions, and lien types can vary by state, county, and municipality.
The classifications and descriptions are intended to help interpret results displayed in PIM. They do not change or influence how PIM recognizes, categorizes, or evaluates public record data. PIM's underlying data and recognition logic remain unchanged.
Because public record data is continually evolving, the document types encountered in the platform are fluid and may expand beyond what is included in this reference.
Special Lien Analysis (SLA) Types
Although many of the lien types reported under County/City Tax Liens are tax-related, they are not all secured property tax liens. This category may also include municipal assessments, utility-related charges, code violations, service fees, and other government-imposed obligations that could impact the property. Additionally, the lien types listed are representative examples and should not be considered an exhaustive list of all lien classifications that may be encountered across different jurisdictions.
Table: Special Lien Types
Special Lien Type | Definition |
|---|---|
Abatement charges | Charges imposed by a local government for correcting property conditions such as unsafe structures, nuisance conditions, or code violations. |
Business | Liens related to unpaid business taxes, fees, permits, or other business-related obligations that have been attached to a property. |
Delinquent tax | Unpaid property taxes that are past due and may result in a tax lien being assessed against the property. |
Demolition lien | A lien filed to recover costs incurred by a municipality for demolition of unsafe or condemned structures. |
Fire protection lien | Charges assessed for fire protection services or fire district fees that remain unpaid. |
Health and human services | Liens related to unpaid obligations owed to a government health or human services agency. |
Health care cost | A lien filed to recover unpaid medical or healthcare-related expenses that have become enforceable against property. |
Irrigation lien | Charges associated with irrigation district assessments or water delivery services that remain unpaid. |
Manufactured home property tax | Delinquent taxes assessed on a manufactured or mobile home. |
Multi | A category indicating multiple special lien types are associated with the same property. |
Notice of special tax lien | A recorded notice indicating a special tax assessment or district tax obligation has been levied against the property. |
Occupational | Liens associated with unpaid occupational taxes, licensing fees, or profession-related assessments. |
Personal property tax | Taxes assessed against taxable personal property that remain unpaid and have resulted in a lien. |
Postponed property tax | Property taxes that have been deferred or postponed and may become repayable upon certain triggering events. |
Sales & use tax | Liens related to unpaid sales tax or use tax obligations. |
Sanitation charges | Unpaid charges for municipal sanitation, waste collection, or related services. |
Sewer and refuse service | Outstanding sewer and refuse collection service charges attached to the property. |
Special assessment | Charges levied by a taxing authority to fund specific public improvements that benefit the property. |
Statutory lien | A lien that arises automatically by operation of law rather than through a voluntary agreement. |
Street improvement | Assessments imposed to recover costs for road, sidewalk, curb, paving, or related infrastructure improvements. |
Tourist development tax | Unpaid taxes commonly associated with short-term rental or lodging activities. |
Unpaid administrative adjudication fines | Outstanding fines imposed through an administrative or municipal enforcement process. |
Unpaid hazardous waste | Charges or penalties related to hazardous waste cleanup, disposal, or environmental remediation obligations. |
Unpaid miscellaneous service charges | Various unpaid municipal or utility service fees not otherwise categorized. |
Unpaid municipal liens | General municipal charges, fees, or penalties that have been attached to the property as a lien. |
Unpaid rubbish | Outstanding charges related to trash or rubbish collection services. |
Unpaid sewer | Delinquent sewer service charges assessed against the property. |
Unpaid storm drain | Outstanding stormwater management or drainage fees. |
Unpaid trash disposal | Delinquent charges for waste removal and disposal services. |
Unpaid water charges | Outstanding water utility charges associated with the property. |
Unpaid water/sewer | Delinquent combined water and sewer utility charges. |
Unsecured property (taxes) | Taxes assessed against property or assets that are not secured by a traditional real estate tax lien. |
Utility service | Unpaid utility-related charges, which may include water, sewer, electric, gas, or other municipal utility services. |
Violation of city code | Fines or charges resulting from violations of local ordinances, zoning requirements, or property maintenance codes. |
Weed abatement | Charges incurred when a municipality removes overgrown vegetation and bills the property owner. |
Voluntary Lien Analysis (VLA) Types
These document types represent common public record filings that PIM may identify and evaluate as part of its Voluntary Lien Analysis. The presence of a document does not necessarily indicate that a lien is currently active, as PIM also evaluates releases, subordinations, ownership changes, and other related recordings when determining lien position and status.
Table: Voluntary Lien Document Types
Document Type | Definition |
|---|---|
Assignment of deed of trust | A recorded document that transfers the ownership or servicing rights of a Deed of Trust from one lender or institution to another. |
Bargain and sale deed | A deed used to transfer property ownership in which the seller conveys whatever ownership interest they have in the property, without guaranteeing a clear title. |
Deed of full release | A recorded document indicating that a loan secured by a property has been paid in full and the associated lien has been released. |
Deed of trust | A security instrument used in many states in place of a mortgage that secures a loan using the property as collateral. |
Home equity loan | A loan secured by the borrower's available home equity, typically issued as a lump sum with fixed repayment terms. |
HELOC (home equity line of credit) | A revolving line of credit secured by home equity that allows a borrower to draw funds as needed up to a predetermined limit. |
Homeowners association (HOA) lien | A lien recorded by a homeowners association for unpaid association fees, assessments, fines, or other obligations owed by the property owner. |
Homeowners association (HOA) release | A recorded document indicating that a previously filed HOA lien has been satisfied and released. |
Mortgage | A loan secured by real property that gives the lender a lien against the property until the debt is repaid. |
Notice of default | A recorded notice indicating that a borrower has failed to meet the terms of a loan agreement and is in default. |
Notice of sale | A recorded notice announcing that a property is scheduled to be sold as part of a foreclosure or similar legal process. |
Notice of trustee's sale | A formal notice used in Deed of Trust states that announces the scheduled foreclosure sale of a property by the trustee. |
Refinance mortgage | A new mortgage used to replace an existing mortgage, often to obtain different loan terms, interest rates, or financing amounts. |
Special warranty deed | A deed that transfers property ownership while providing a limited warranty that title issues did not arise during the seller's period of ownership. |
Subordination agreement | A recorded agreement that changes the priority order of liens, allowing one lien to remain senior to another lien that might otherwise take priority. |
Warranty deed | A deed that transfers property ownership and includes a full guarantee that the seller holds clear title to the property and has the legal right to transfer ownership. |