New York Garageman's Lien Processing: Shared Responsibility Model

How Lien Onit and Your Garage Work Together 

Our Partnership Philosophy

At Lien Onit, we’ve learned that lien success requires collaboration, not just service. While we manage all the complex DMV and administrative requirements, you remain in control of your business decisions and customer relationships. This partnership approach recognizes that our expertise works best when combined with your deep understanding of your business – together creating outcomes that neither of us could achieve alone.

LIEN ONIT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

We Handle the Complexity

Administrative & DMV Compliance

✅ DMV Verification & Documentation

  • Obtain and verify owner/lienholder information from registration state
  • Prepare all required DMV forms (MV-901A, MV-901B, etc.)
  • Ensure strict compliance with notice timing requirements

✅ Notice & Publication Management

  • Mail certified notices to owners and lienholders within legal deadlines
  • Coordinate newspaper publication for two consecutive weeks
  • Obtain and file newspaper affidavits of publication

✅ Auction Coordination

  • Schedule the public auction
  • Handle required sale documentation
  • Provide garage with title transfer paperwork

✅ Protection & Documentation

  • Maintain bulletproof paper trail for potential challenges
  • Keep current on changing DMV requirements
  • Work with your attorney to support your claim if challenged

YOUR GARAGE'S RESPONSIBILITIES

You Control Your Business Decisions

Customer Authorization & Communication

🔧 Written Work Authorization

  • Obtain signed work orders before starting repairs
  • Document telephone authorizations with date, time, and person’s name
  • Keep original signed estimates and repair authorizations

🔧 Storage Charge Authorization

  • Provide written notice before charging storage (can be on estimate)
  • Set your own reasonable daily storage rates
  • Decide when to start charging storage (after repair completion notice)

Business Operations & Documentation

🔧 Maintain DMV Registration

  • Keep your business registration current and compliant
  • Ensure registration was active when work was performed
  • Display required DMV signs and certificates

🔧 Continuous Possession

  • Keep vehicle on your premises until lien is resolved
  • Never release vehicle without full payment or our authorization
  • Document any temporary moves with our approval

🔧 Invoice & Record Keeping

  • Provide detailed invoices with all required information
  • Maintain repair records and parts documentation
  • Keep customer communication records

OUR COLLABORATIVE PROCESS

Working Together for Success

Phase 1: Case Initiation

  • You provide: Vehicle details, customer info, work performed, charges claimed
  • We handle: DMV verification, case setup

Phase 2: DMV Compliance

  • You maintain: Vehicle possession, customer communication as needed
  • We handle: All legal notices, publication requirements, deadline management

Phase 3: Resolution

  • You decide: Whether to accept settlement offers, storage rate adjustments
  • We handle: Requests for information that aid in resolution in the claim

PROTECTION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

What This Model Delivers:

✅ Clear accountability – everyone knows their role
✅ Bulletproof documentation – we handle DMV requirements
✅ Business autonomy – you control rates, timing, and decisions
✅ Shared success – we succeed when you succeed

THE BOTTOM LINE

This shared responsibility model has proven successful because it combines:

  • Our expertise understanding DMV requirement complexity
  • Your knowledge of your business and customer relationships
  • Clear boundaries that protect both parties
  • Documented procedures that withstand claim challenges

Remember: We’re partners in protecting your rights while you focus on running your business. When we each handle our responsibilities properly, the result is a bulletproof lien that stands up to any challenge.

Questions about roles and responsibilities? Contact Lien Onit at 212-653-0136 – we’re here to make the complex simple.