California Codes, Business and Professions Code - BPC, Division 4 — Real Estate, Part 1 — Licensing of Persons, Chapter 3 — Real Estate Regulations, Article 7 — Real Property Loans, Section 10243

If the loan is not consummated due to the failure of the borrower to disclose the outstanding liens of record or the correct current vested title which is material to the loan upon the real property as provided by subdivision (c) of Section 10241, the borrower shall be liable for the costs and expenses provided in subdivision (a) of Section 10241 that have been paid or incurred and shall be liable for the payment of one-half of the charges provided in subdivision (b) of Section 10241. An exclusive agreement authorizing or retaining a licensee to negotiate a loan secured directly or collaterally by a lien on real property shall be limited to a term of not more than 45 days.

If the loan is not consummated and the broker is entitled to any charges, costs, or expenses authorized by this article, he or she may not record a lien or encumbrance against the borrower’s property except subsequent to the filing of a legal action pursuant to the Code of Civil Procedure to recover said charges, costs, or expenses. However, nothing contained herein shall prohibit a broker from recording a lien pursuant to a voluntary lien agreement in conjunction with a stipulation to dismiss an actual or proposed complaint for damages entitling the broker to those charges, costs, or expenses after written notice to the borrower that the broker proposes or has initiated a complaint for damages pursuant to the Code of Civil Procedure.