What Should Be Checked before Paying a Reservation Deposit?

Before paying, identify the legal seller, property, title, proposed ownership structure, deposit conditions and refund triggers. The reservation document should state whether the payment is refundable if title, quota, permits, finance, contract or independent due diligence is unsatisfactory. Confirm where the money is held and who may release it. A deadline created by a salesperson should not remove the buyer’s right to inspect documents.

Keep due diligence independent from the sales team and make completion conditional on satisfactory evidence. Store title, searches, translations, permits, plans, inspection reports, payment receipts and written advice in one transaction file. Missing evidence should be resolved before, not after, transfer.

This is general guide information only; obtain current independent Thai legal, tax, financial or technical advice for the specific transaction.