Taxes · 6 min read
How to Check for Liens on Your Tennessee Property
Published April 1, 2026 by WC Atlas LLC
Most sellers find out about a lien in week three of a contract. You can find out today, for free.
Start with the register of deeds
Recorded liens against real property show up with the register of deeds in the county where the property sits. Knox County's register maintains searchable records, and most surrounding counties offer online search as well.
Search by owner name and by parcel. Look for deeds of trust, releases, judgment liens, mechanics liens, and any assignments. A deed of trust with no corresponding release is a very common problem — the loan was paid but the release was never recorded.
Then check the trustee for taxes
The county trustee handles property tax collection. Their office can tell you the exact balance, including interest and penalty, for every year. If the property is inside a city, check the city separately — Knoxville, Maryville, Alcoa, Oak Ridge, and Clinton all bill their own.
Also ask whether the parcel has been referred to the delinquent tax attorney. That answer changes the urgency considerably.
Court records for judgments
Judgment liens arise from lawsuits and attach to real property in the county where the judgment is recorded. Check the Circuit and General Sessions court records under the owner's name, and remember that a judgment from another county can be recorded in yours.
Federal tax liens are recorded with the register of deeds, as are Tennessee Department of Revenue liens.
The ones that surprise people
City code enforcement abatement liens for mowing, boarding, or demolition. HOA assessment liens on subdivision lots. Child support arrearage liens. Medicaid estate recovery claims after a death. Mechanics liens filed by a contractor you thought you had settled with.
None of these appear unless you look for them, and all of them must be resolved before clear title transfers.
The fastest option
A title company can run a search for a modest fee and give you a written report in a few days. If you are seriously considering selling, that is the efficient path — and when you sell to us, we order and pay for the title search ourselves.
Knowing early is what protects your deal. A lien found in week one is a line item; the same lien found in week three of a financed contract is usually a dead sale.
What to do if you find one
Most liens are simply paid from proceeds at closing. If the total exceeds the property's value, negotiated payoffs are common — judgment creditors often accept less rather than collect nothing, and the IRS has a formal discharge process for a specific property.
Do not ignore it and hope the buyer's title company misses it. They will not.
This information is general and educational. We are not attorneys, CPAs, or tax advisors, and nothing on this site is tax or legal advice. Individual results depend on your specific circumstances. Please consult a qualified tax professional before making a decision.