Why and When Do You Need an MLC?

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A Municipal Lien Certificate (MLC) is a legal document that certifies you don’t owe any liens – or taxes – on your property. In this article, learn how an MLC works and how Green Ocean Property Management will assist you in obtaining one when you need it.

 

 

What is an MLC?

An MLC stands for Municipal Lien Certificate. It is issued by the city where your property is located, where they state that you don’t owe any liens or any taxes to anybody and that it’s okay to pay you out on that. Why is it really important, and when do you need an MLC? 

So typically, when you have an insurance loss, the insurance companies will request an MLC before paying you out because they know that if there’s a lien on the property – whether it’s the city or some other contractor vendor – that person may have the first right for that money.

Hence, they require this MLC to prove and show that nobody owes you or you don’t owe any money on the property to anybody else.

 

How to Get an MLC

Are you looking to get an MLC? The process may seem daunting, but it’s a lot simpler than you may realize! Here are the steps to requesting an MLC for your property.

 

1. Check your city government’s official website.

 

Click this link if your property is in Boston. You will need to provide the following details:

• ward
• the parcel number for your property
• the sub-parcel number for your property 

You will also provide a self-addressed stamped envelope and pay the corresponding fee.

Take note that the fee depends on the property class and description. Typically, there is a standard charge per MLC request—for example, many Massachusetts towns set this fee at $50 per certificate. Be sure to check your city or town’s official website for the most up-to-date fee schedule, as the amount and payment instructions may vary. Most cities require payment by check, made out to the appropriate municipal department.

Payment for the MLC

When you’re ready to request your MLC, be prepared to include the payment. The standard fee is $50 per certificate. Most cities require you to pay by check, so make sure your check is made out to the city or town where your property is located. Double-check your city’s preferred payee—sometimes it differs! If you’re unsure, your city’s website or the Assessing Department can confirm the exact details.

If you do not have the required details for your property, you can call the Assessing Department for assistance. You can also search for it on their official website.

 

Do you need a separate MLC for each parcel?

Yes, if your property spans more than one parcel of land, you’ll need to request an individual Municipal Lien Certificate (MLC) for each parcel. The city treats each parcel as its own entity, so even if the parcels are adjacent or under the same ownership, a separate MLC is required for every individual parcel number you own. Be sure to gather all the relevant parcel details before beginning your request to avoid any delays.

 

2. Prepare a cover letter

We at Green Ocean Property Management already have a template drawn up. But it should just go something like:

 

“To whom it may concern:

I would like to request an MLC for a property with the following details.

[insert ward, parcel number, and sub-parcel number here]

 

Please mail it to the address on the stamped envelope: [insert address here]

If you have any questions, please call me at [insert your contact number here], or feel free to contact the Treasurer/Collector for further assistance.

Thank you.”

 

What to Include in Your MLC Request

To make sure your request is processed smoothly, your cover letter should contain the following information:

• The property address
• The current property owner(s) of record
• The map-lot-block number (or ward, parcel, and sub-parcel number)
• Your contact information so the Collector can reach out with any questions

By including all these details up front, you’ll avoid back-and-forth emails and help keep things moving along.

 

4. Where to send your request

Once you’ve written your cover letter, pop it in the mail and address it to the Town Treasurer or Collector’s office at:

12 Kent Way, Suite 101 Byfield, MA 01922

This is the official mailing address for municipal lien certificate requests—just be sure to include that stamped envelope with your own address so there’s no confusion when they send your certificate back.

 

5. File the MLC request.

 

In the city of Boston, you can get an MLC in two ways. You can either request it by mail or in person. 

I prefer to drop it off in person. It gets done at the city hall a little bit faster, and you can guarantee that they received your request.

It takes about a week to ten days to be able to obtain this, so plan on getting it earlier, and then they’re going to mail it back in the envelope that you provided.

 

What can delay your MLC?

While the typical turnaround for an MLC is about 7 to 10 business days, it’s worth noting that certain factors can slow this process down. For example:

• The number of requests the city’s collector’s office is handling at any given time (it tends to get busier during tax season or at the end of the month).
• The complexity of your property’s records—unusual property types or missing information can add extra days.
• Any outstanding fees or paperwork errors; one missed signature or incorrect parcel number can send your application to the dreaded “waiting pile.”

So, for a smooth experience, double-check all your details before submitting and try to avoid peak filing periods if possible. This way, you’ll be well on your way to getting that all-important MLC in your mailbox without unnecessary headaches.

Once you have the MLC, you can provide it to your insurance company. They will then release the funds due to you.

 

Our commitment

If you or anyone else you know is looking for a proactive property manager to help you through things like obtaining an MLC, please think of Green Ocean Property Management: where you get more than a property manager, you get peace of mind.