This is a step by step guide on land buying process in Kenya. Real estate is one of the best investments you can ever make. In Kenya, the cost of land is always appreciating.
Land buying process in Kenya step by step
If you are buying land from an individual or a group, please follow the following steps:
1. Ask to see the title deed or copy of title deed. Then do a search at the ministry of lands to confirm who the real owners are or if the title has any Caveat on it.
2. Do a search with the local authorities to check of any unpaid land rates. If any, agree with the seller on who will settle the debt. Nb: land can’t be transferred if there are unpaid land rates.
3. Go to the ministry of lands and buy 2 maps, one showing the exact measurements of the piece u are buying (called mutation) and the other showing the neighbouring lands.
4. With your 2 maps and a surveyor (you can even do it yourself) , visit the land you are buying and verify the details on the map. Check out all the beacons.
5. Sit down with your seller and bargain the price. Write down an agreement. The agreement can be done before a lawyer or you may decide to do it yourself. It’s not a must to be written by a lawyer.
The spouse 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐄 present to give spousal consent.
6. Pay some amounts or as per your agreement. Don’t pay everything, hata kama unazo pesa. Don’t pay cash. Do a bank transfer to the seller or pay direct to his or her account. This shows evidence of who paid and the payee.
7. Book a meeting with the lands control board(LCB). They meet once a month. But there is a special LCB meeting which you can book at an extra cost. LCB will issue consent for the land to be sold.
8. Pay the remaining balance after getting consent from LCB.
9. With the consent from LCB, a recent search (not more than 6 months), clearance form from County land rates, your 2 maps, the agreement, KRA PIN, 2 Passports and copy of the title deed, go to the ministry of lands to change ownership.
10. At this stage, you no longer need the seller. Now go and pay stamp duty ie according to the value of the land.
4% of sale value in municipalities
2% ” ” ” in reserves
11. Now the land belongs to you. But before celebrating, go to the ministry and do a search to confirm if it really reads your name.
The writer, Muriithi Ngari is an experienced real estate developer based in Nairobi. He is the Principal Investments consultant ad Chief Executive Officer at LAVAH Investments, a Registered & licensed Estate agents.
