A lien on land is a legal claim or right that a creditor has over a property, typically used as security for a debt or obligation. It gives the creditor the ability to enforce the claim, often through the sale of the property, if the landowner fails to meet the terms of repayment. Liens can arise from unpaid property taxes, mortgages, construction work, or legal judgments. Until the lien is resolved—usually by paying off the debt—it can limit the owner's ability to sell or refinance the property.