What does "involuntary lien" refer to?

An involuntary lien refers to a lien that is placed on a property without the owner's consent, primarily due to the owner's failure to pay debts. This type of lien arises in situations where a creditor seeks to secure payment for debts owed by the property owner, such as tax liens, mechanic's liens, or judgment liens. The key characteristic distinguishing involuntary liens is that the property owner did not agree to the placement of the lien; it is a legal remedy for creditors to ensure they can recover what is owed.

The other options reflect different concepts. A lien placed with the owner's agreement pertains to voluntary liens, where owners willingly encumber their property for various reasons, such as securing a mortgage. A formal agreement made by property buyers does not relate to liens but rather to the sales contract. Finally, a temporary claim on new properties doesn't accurately describe any recognized lien type; instead, it may suggest a temporary encumbrance, which would not typically categorize as involuntary.