Registration and encumbrances before the deposit.

A deposit is often requested before the state of the land register entry is clear. If an encumbrance or a notation surfaces after payment, the negotiation continues from a weaker position.

The check isn't a formality. It looks at the registration, any encumbrances, and whether the seller can transfer title on the terms that were represented.

If you're preparing a purchase, the file is opened before the deposit. That determines whether the payment goes ahead, and on what terms.