# Lien Notice > Download our Charge Notice template or generate a bespoke version tailored to your needs. Fast, editable, and fully compliant with England & Wales law. **Document type:** Lien Notice **Category:** Notices **Jurisdiction:** the UK **Governing law:** United States **Last updated:** 2026-06-17 ## What is a Charge Notice? A Charge Notice alerts everyone that someone claims a legal right over property until a debt gets paid. It's commonly used when contractors or suppliers haven't received payment for work they've done on a building, or when lenders want to secure their interest in property. In England & Wales, a charge is a formal legal interest in land registered at HM Land Registry. Once registered at HM Land Registry, this notice creates a public record of the debt and can prevent the property from being sold with an unencumbered title. Banks, construction companies, and local authorities often use charge notices to protect their financial interests and ensure they'll get paid what they're owed. The notice must typically be registered within specific timeframes set by the Law of Property Act 1925 and Land Registration Act 2002. ## When should you use a Charge Notice? File a Charge Notice when someone owes you money for work, materials, or services provided to their property. This is especially crucial for contractors who've completed construction work but haven't been paid, or suppliers who've delivered materials to a building site without receiving payment. Timing matters here—England & Wales law requires you to register within specific periods to protect your position. Filing the notice protects your right to get paid and gives you priority over later creditors. It's particularly important when dealing with large projects or clients with questionable payment histories, as registration at HM Land Registry creates a binding legal interest. ## What are the different types of Charge Notice? - **Contractor's Charges:** Registered by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers for unpaid construction work or materials - **Tax Charges:** HMRC and local authority claims against property for unpaid taxes or business rates - **Judgment Charges:** Created when a court ruling grants a creditor rights to property, registered under the Charging Orders Act 1979 - **Secured Loan Charges:** Mortgages and other secured lending interests registered against property - **Statutory Charges:** Claims arising from statute, such as solicitor's charges for legal work or local authority charges - **Equitable Charges:** Informal charges that may not be registered but still create enforceable interests in equity ## Who should typically use a Charge Notice? - **Contractors and Suppliers:** Register charges to secure payment for work or materials provided to properties - **Property Owners:** Receive and respond to charge notices; must address claims to maintain clear property titles - **Banks and Lenders:** Register charges to protect their interests in mortgaged properties - **HM Land Registry:** Records and maintains charge notices in the register of title - **Construction Solicitors:** Draft and review charge notices, ensure compliance with Land Registration Act 2002 - **Conveyancers:** Search for and report existing charges during property transactions ## How do you write a Charge Notice? - **Property Details:** Gather the exact property address, title number from HM Land Registry, and full legal description - **Debt Information:** Document the exact amount owed, dates of work or services, and payment history - **Party Information:** Collect full legal names, addresses, and company details of property owner and all involved parties - **Timeline Check:** Verify compliance with registration periods under the Land Registration Act 2002 - **Documentation:** Gather contracts, invoices, and proof of work completion or service provision - **Registration Requirements:** Check HM Land Registry's specific formatting and submission requirements for your application ## What should be included in a Charge Notice? - **Property Description:** HM Land Registry title number and full legal description of the property - **Claim Amount:** Precise amount owed in pounds sterling, including itemised breakdown if required - **Work Description:** Specific details of services, materials, or labour provided - **Party Information:** Full legal names and addresses of charge claimant and registered proprietor - **Date Details:** First and last dates of work performed or materials furnished - **Statutory Declaration:** Sworn statement confirming the truth of claims made before a solicitor or notary public - **Signature Block:** Claimant's signature with notary acknowledgment or solicitor's certification ## What's the difference between a Charge Notice and a Discharge of Charge? A Charge Notice differs significantly from a [Discharge of Charge](https://www.genieai.co/en-gb/template-type/discharge-of-charge) in both purpose and timing. Whilst a Charge Notice establishes a claim against property, a Discharge of Charge does the opposite by releasing that claim, typically after payment is received. - **Purpose:** Charge Notices secure payment rights and create a public record of debt registered at HM Land Registry; Discharges of Charge relinquish those rights once payment is made - **Timing:** Charge Notices are registered early in the process, often before payment issues arise; Discharges of Charge come after receiving payment - **Legal Effect:** Notices create an encumbrance on the registered title; Discharges remove that encumbrance from the register - **Parties:** Notices are registered by unpaid parties; Discharges are typically prepared by the charge holder before releasing payment to the property owner ## Templates in this category - [Notice Of Intent To Lien](https://www.genieai.co/en-gb/template/notice-of-intent-to-lien) - [Notice Of Intent To Record A Claim Of Lien](https://www.genieai.co/en-gb/template/notice-of-intent-to-record-a-claim-of-lien) - [Notice Of Lien Release](https://www.genieai.co/en-gb/template/notice-of-lien-release) --- This is the Markdown representation of [https://www.genieai.co/en-gb/template-type/lien-notice](https://www.genieai.co/en-gb/template-type/lien-notice), provided for AI agents and crawlers. 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