If you recently started your own subcontracting business in Florida, the Notice to Owner is probably something you have heard about but may not fully understand yet. This guide is for you.
What the Notice to Owner is and why it matters
The NTO is a form required by Florida law that tells the property owner you are working on their property. Without an NTO on file, you cannot file a construction lien. And without a lien, your options for collecting unpaid money are limited and expensive. The NTO is your insurance policy on every job.
When to file
You have 45 days from the first day you perform work or deliver materials. The best practice is to file on day one. Do not wait.
What you will need
The property owner's name and mailing address, the general contractor's name and address, the job site address, a description of what you are doing, and the name of the company that hired you.
How to actually file it
You can prepare the NTO yourself and mail via USPS Certified Mail, or use SimpleNTO which handles everything for $59. Five minutes, done.
How to build it into your workflow
Make NTO filing part of your project startup checklist, alongside pulling permits and ordering materials. If it is part of the checklist, it does not get forgotten. One missed NTO on one unpaid project can cost more than a year of filing fees.
One more thing
Filing an NTO does not mean you expect not to get paid. It is standard business practice. Think of it like insurance: you hope you never need it, but you always make sure it is in place.
SimpleNTO is a document preparation service, not a law firm. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
