Purchasing land in Kenya is a complex process that needs you to carry out proper due diligence before putting your money in the deal.
At Epitome Properties Limited, we know how hectic this process can be, and therefore, we decided to come up with this article that highlights the eight important steps when buying land in Kenya. The following are the critical steps that you should take
Step 1: Decide to purchase land
Buying land is a big investment; therefore, take your time and make a decision as a person. In this step, decide on the location and the amount of money you are willing to spend. Finally, pick the land seller you would like to go through the process with.
Step 2: Reach out to the seller
Before contacting the seller, do a background search on the seller. Check out their website, social media accounts, and available reviews. Once you are satisfied with the information, contact the seller and make plans of viewing the land.
Step 3: Site visit
Here, you’ll go with the seller to view the land you are planning to buy. When viewing the land, request the seller to help you do ground verification of the land. That is, identifying the beacons and the roads passing nearby. Moreover, at this step, you can choose which plot is suitable for you.
Step 4: Ask for the mother’s title
A title deed is the surest way for you to know that the land you are about to purchase belongs to the seller. Therefore, ask for the mother title from the seller for you to do a search from the Land Registry. For instance, if you are purchasing land in Kitengela, it is advised to do your search at Kajiado county offices. The process takes about 2 hours and you’ll pay Ksh. 550/=
What you’ll be checking from the search?
The details of the land including the landowner
Acreage and caveats registered against the title deed
Checking any unpaid land rates. If there are any, they’ll be factored in the purchase price. Also, note that a certificate of clearance from City Hall will cost you Ksh. 7,500; however, the fee varies from one county to the other.
Step 5: Get the two land maps
The maps can be acquired from either the Land ministry or a local surveyor at a cost of KShs 300 each. One map is normally drawn to scale and the other is an overview of the land showing adjacent plots, the maps are also key when it comes to doing the ground verification. This means that you can go back to the site with the seller and the surveyor to check on the beacons on the allocated parcel.
Step 6: Sale Agreement
It is advisable for you to appoint a lawyer who will represent you while signing the sale agreement. The agreement is usually prepared by the seller’s lawyer, which indicates the terms of sale, the name of the seller and buyer, and price of the land, and lastly the mode of payment.
Step 7: Transfer of documents
Finally, after completion of the payment, you’ll be issued with completion documents. They include land transfer forms and applications for consent. Lastly, the registration of the title deed and issuance of the same.
Enjoy being a landowner