Title and its evidence.
WHAT DOCUMENTS COMMONLY APPEAR
A certificate of occupancy A deed of assignment A governor's consent A survey plan A registered conveyance Receipts and agreements of varying formality
WHAT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS
Evidence of a right of occupancy granted by the state.
WHY THE STATE
Land is vested in the state governor under the land legislation, with occupancy rights granted.
WHAT GOVERNOR'S CONSENT IS
Approval required for transfers of an interest in land.
WHY IT MATTERS
A transfer without it may be ineffective.
WHAT TO VERIFY BEFORE ANY PURCHASE
The seller's title Whether the land is subject to acquisition or dispute Whether consent will be obtainable The survey, against the physical land
HOW
A search at the relevant lands registry, conducted by a solicitor.
WHY A SOLICITOR
The searches and the documentation require expertise.
WHAT COMMONLY GOES WRONG
Land sold by someone without title The same land sold several times Land under government acquisition Survey not matching what is occupied
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Pay without verification Rely on possession as proof Accept photocopies as evidence
WHAT TO KEEP
Original documents, securely.
WHAT TO BUDGET FOR
Legal fees, consent fees and registration.
