(1) If any such charges for which a lien is given by section 38-20-102, 38-20-105, 38-20-106, or 38-20-106.2 or for which a lien is restored by section 38-20-106.5 are not paid within thirty days after the same become due and payable, the mechanic, innkeeper, or other person to whom such lien is given may file a foreclosure action in the county or district court of the county or city and county in which the contract or agreement between the lienholder and the owner of the property was signed or entered into, in which the owner resided at the time the contract or agreement was entered into, in which the owner resides at the time the foreclosure action is commenced or in which the work was performed, or, in the case of a lien created pursuant to section 38-20-106.2, in which any work was performed or materials were furnished. In the event that the lienholder does not foreclose the lien by commencing a judicial action within sixty days and if, under section 38-20106, within ninety days after charges become due and payable, the lien shall terminate. However, such period of limitation may be extended by agreement between the parties for an additional period not to exceed thirty days. For the purposes of this subsection (1), if the contract between the owner and the lienholder provides for installment or continuing payments, installments or continuing payments shall be deemed to be due after default of any installment or payment or at the time the final installment or payment is due and payable at the option of the lienholder.
If the lienholder sells or otherwise disposes of the property of the owner withoutsubstantially complying with this article, the owner is entitled to recover from the lienholder the value of the property, but in no event less than one hundred dollars, and reasonable attorney fees.
Nothing in this article shall require a lienholder to commence a judicial action toforeclose his lien if the property held is abandoned as defined in section 38-20-116.
Source: L. 1883: p. 238, § 4. G.S. § 2121. R.S. 08: § 4016. C.L. § 6433. CSA: C. 101, § 6. CRS 53: § 86-1-6. C.R.S. 1963: § 86-1-6. L. 64: p. 289, § 222. L. 75: Entire section amended, p. 1416, § 1, effective April 24. L. 77: (1) amended, p. 1710, § 3, effective May 18. L. 81: (1) amended, p. 1821, § 2, effective July 1. L. 87: (1) amended, p. 1583, § 44, effective July 10. L. 98: (1) amended, p. 364, § 3, effective September 30. L. 2005: (1) amended, p. 638, § 4, effective May 27.