Can a Tenant Lein a Property?

[Chad B.]

If a tenant moves out of a property after his lease was completed and the landlord refused to return the full security deposit due to "dusting and cleaning of the apartment" is it possible for the tenant to file a mechanics lein on the property for the remainder of deposit? At first, I was joking when I made this suggestion to the tenant but now I'm left wondering why not. What would it hurt? The landlord is currently trying to sell the place instead of lease it out again and he refuses to provide receipts for the work involved claiming it was payment for his time. I'm guessing it would be pretty easy for the landlord to get the lein thrown out but it may be even easier, cheaper, and quicker for him to just pay the lein instead of fighting it out.