Owners should demand this release when they are paid in full. Some states allow an Unconditional Release upon final payment that is used to induce the final payment. It is an inherent vagary in the lien release law.
Owners must request this release when their payments are complete. In certain jurisdictions, an unconditional release after all payments have been made serves as a tactic to prompt the final payment. This is a basic inconsistency within lien release laws.