What type of lien is characterized as being imposed without the consent of a property owner?

The type of lien characterized as being imposed without the consent of a property owner is an involuntary lien. This type of lien arises through legal action or circumstances beyond the control of the property owner, which means that the owner does not willingly agree to it.

Involuntary liens are typically created to secure unpaid debts, such as tax liens placed by the government for unpaid property taxes or mechanic's liens filed by contractors for unpaid work. As a result, they are a form of encumbrance on the property that the owner may not have directly agreed to, reflecting an obligation that must be addressed.

Understanding that involuntary liens can arise from statutory requirements or through legal judgments helps provide context for their placement. In contrast, a voluntary lien is entered into by the property owner, such as a mortgage, where the owner consents to the lien in exchange for financing. Other options, such as statutory and judgment liens, are specific types of involuntary liens but are included within the broader category of involuntary liens. Hence, the distinguishing factor remains that involuntary liens do not require the owner's agreement, differentiating them from voluntary options.