In this guide
What an EC can help you seeWhat it may not revealHow to read it carefullyEC and title review are differentAn Encumbrance Certificate is evidence of certain registered transactions found for a property over a chosen period. It is useful because it can help reveal a transaction trail. It is limited because not every right, claim or problem necessarily appears there.
What an EC can help you see
Depending on the record and search period, an EC may help identify registered sale deeds, mortgages, releases and other recorded instruments connected to the property description.
What it may not reveal
- An unregistered agreement or claim
- A transaction outside the selected search period
- A mismatch in how the property was described
- Every court dispute or family claim
- Whether the underlying title chain is legally sound
How to read it carefully
Check the property identifiers, parties, document numbers, transaction nature and search period. Ask why each transaction occurred and whether the corresponding document is available.
EC and title review are different
| EC search | Title review |
|---|---|
| Searches specified registered records | Examines the legal chain and supporting records |
| Limited by period and property description | Tests continuity, authority and legal effect |
| Useful evidence | A broader professional assessment |