possessory lien

A possessory lien is a legal claim or charge on property that secures the payment of a debt or the fulfillment of an obligation. In property law, it grants a creditor the right to retain possession of a debtor's goods until the debt is settled.12

Common law recognizes two types of possessory liens:
* Specific liens: These apply only to the value of services rendered to or in connection with the specific property.1
* General liens: These cover not only services related to the specific property but also any outstanding indebtedness the property owner has to the creditor.1

Beyond common law, there are also equitable and statutory liens, such as the mechanic's lien in the United States, which gives builders and contractors an interest in land they improve as security for payment.1