The Grass Doctor

Can a lawncare service put a lien on your home?

We just bought a home last year. A lawn care service was previously taking care of the lawn; hired by the last owners of the home. We were never approached to continue with the service. No contract was ever signed with us to continue the lawn service. They continued to come out and mow the lawn. We didn't even know the name of the company to call so we thought that the previous owners had taken care of it for the year. Now we get a bill saying we have to pay an extravagant amount or else they will put a lein against our home. Am i obligated to pay for this?

Public Comments

1. No. They will probably try to intimidate you and make lots of threats but don't worry about it too much. They may turn you over to collections but then just dispute the charge and you probably won't have much of a problem. They will take it off.
2. I would say that since you never signed any contract, you are free to disregard the bill's they are sending. However, you do need to see the contract that the previous owner signed. Without your knowledge, that contract may have included anyone purchasing the home. You need to get a lawyer.
3. Let them know you are the new owners and their problem lies with the previous owners and the unclosed account. They might try and put a lien on your house but doubt it would be successful since you did not sign a contract with them or agree to pick up the service. I kind of wonder why you didnt get it stoped before it reached this point though.... seems a bit dishonest to me.
4. Get a lawyer and then call the lawn care company. This appears a little underhanded since I assume they know that the previous owners sold the house and moved on. It's strange that the lawn care company never contacted you or approached you about continuing service and since you never signed a contract it should be easier to fight. I would still get the lawyer involved though just to be on the safe side and see what he or she says.
5. They mowed your lawn for a year without payment? That sounds really shady to me You need to consult an attorney it could be a simple misunderstanding, or they are trying to extort money out of you If you have a Business name do a business license search to see if they are even a legitimate business Consult an attorney
6. Did you really think that free lawn care was included in the purchase price of the home? Have you ever been home when they showed up? You could not ask the neighbors if they happened to know the name of the company? The first time the company showed up and whipped out their mowers you should have been asking questions.