Land search and property title verification are essential before buying a piece of land, whether in Abuja or anywhere in the world. This is because they provide the necessary information to avoid legal complications later.
The process of conducting a land search and verifying property titles in Abuja could be a bit challenging, especially for someone who doesn’t have an idea of how it’s done.
That’s why this article discusses how you can conduct a land search and verify property titles in Abuja, even without professional assistance.
Why You Should Verify Property Titles in Abuja
There are many reasons why you should verify property titles in Abuja or any other location. Here are some of them:
Ownership Confirmation
The major reason you should verify property titles in Abuja is to confirm the property ownership.
Many people claim ownership of land and even go to the extent of preparing fake documents to defraud others. Buying land from such people without verifying who owns it is a great mistake because you’ll eventually lose it to the right owner.
Therefore, verifying property titles helps you know whether the seller owns the property and has the legal right to transfer ownership. This helps prevent you from losing your money to fraudsters or engaging in ownership disputes in the future.
Also Read:
- 9 Documents You Should Ask for When Buying a Property in Abuja
- How Do I Find the Best Real Estate Agent Near Me in Abuja?
- Follow This Guideline to Own a Property in Abuja If You Live Abroad
Risk Mitigation
Verifying property titles helps you avoid risks associated with purchasing real estate. It reduces the chances of encountering legal challenges, such as competing ownership rights, unpaid liens, or undisclosed mortgages.
Peace of Mind
There’s nothing more satisfying in real estate than buying a piece of land you know is free from all encumbrances and disputes. This is what verifying property titles before making a purchase does to you. It gives you confidence in the legality and legitimacy of the transaction.
How to Conduct Land Search and Verify Property Titles in Abuja
Here are the steps you should take to conduct land search and verify property titles in Abuja:
Gather Information
The first step in conducting a land search and verifying property titles in Abuja is gathering all the necessary information.
You need as much information about the property as possible. This includes property location, size, land topography, access roads, and other identifying features. This will prove helpful when you want to physically inspect the property to know if it’s what you want.
Also, get enough information on the property ownership. Gather as much information as you can about the current and previous owners. This information will help you avoid getting into real estate transactions with people who are known fraudsters or cheaters.
Conduct Physical Inspection
Conduct a physical inspection once you’ve gathered all the information you need. This is the first form of verification you’d do to ensure the information you have is accurate.
During physical inspection, you’d find out if the land truly exists and if it’s in the exact location you want. This is also where you get to know the land’s topography to know if it’s suitable for why you’re buying it.
Physical inspection also helps you identify potential issues the documents didn’t reveal. This includes things like accessibility, neighboring properties, and any existing structures or encroachments. You’ll also have the opportunity to interact with the neighbors, local authorities, and community members to gather additional information about the area.
Conduct Land Search
After you’ve conducted a physical inspection and are satisfied with the property, visit the relevant government offices for property title verification.
The government office in charge of all land searches and verification in Abuja is the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS). They’re responsible for land registration in the FCT and will provide you with all the information you need concerning any property in Abuja.
To get the AGIS to conduct a formal search on the property, you must submit a request. You’ll write an application to the Director of Lands Administration, providing all the information you have about the property. Some information required are the certificate of occupancy (C of O) number, the owner’s name, file number, and plot numbers.
The AGIS will also require you to pay for the search service. The amount depends on what you intend to do with the land after purchase. You’ll pay a legal search fee of N10,000 for residential purposes, but for commercial purposes, the fee is N20,000.
Verify Property Titles
Once payment is completed, AGIS will search and verify the authenticity of the property title. They’ll also provide relevant information about the property status, ownership details, and any encumbrances on the property.
With the information provided, you can verify if the title matches the details provided by the property seller or previous owner.
Consult a Legal or Real Estate Professional
While doing the verification yourself helps you save costs, it’s essential to seek the advice of a professional who understands the industry.
A legal professional specializing in property law or an experienced real estate agent can help you interpret the information obtained from the AGIS and provide needed guidelines.
Is Abuja a Good Place for Real Estate Investment?
Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and one of the most commercial hubs in the country. It’s also the preferred residential location of CEOs, expats, and top government officials.
This and many more, including the fact that it’s one of the best tourist locations in Nigeria, makes Abuja excellent for real estate investments.
Also Read:
- How to Easily Avoid Land Scams in Abuja
- Read This Before You Purchase a Property in Abuja
- Different Land Sizes and Measurements Available in Abuja
Conclusion
Conducting a thorough land search and property title verification is essential for buying a property without encumbrances in Abuja.
It helps you avoid every form of legal dispute over property ownership. Also, it helps you avoid demolitions due to buying a property in an area already marked out for development purposes.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can conduct a thorough land search and verify property titles in Abuja, even without professional assistance.
To invest in our Abuja real estate offer, Kyami Pavilion Estate, please, call +2348132794689 or send a WhatsApp message to +2348132794689.
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