What ownership actually means.
WHAT THE LEGAL POSITION BROADLY IS
Land is vested in the state governor under the land legislation, with rights of occupancy granted to holders.
WHAT THAT MEANS PRACTICALLY
What is held is a right of occupancy rather than absolute ownership.
WHAT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS
Evidence of a right of occupancy granted by the state.
WHAT A DEED OF ASSIGNMENT IS
A document transferring an interest from one party to another.
WHAT GOVERNOR'S CONSENT IS
Approval required for transfers of an interest in land.
WHY IT MATTERS ENORMOUSLY
A transfer without it may be ineffective.
WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS APPEAR
Survey plans Deeds of conveyance Registered instruments Receipts and agreements of varying formality Family or community land documentation
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Documents that are informal Documents with no registration Chains of transfer with gaps
WHAT A SURVEY PLAN DOES
Defines the physical extent of the land.
WHY IT MATTERS
Disputes about boundaries are common and expensive.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That the survey matches the land actually shown to you.
HOW
A surveyor, on site.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ANY PARCEL
Whether it is subject to government acquisition Whether it is subject to any dispute Whether the chain of title is complete
WHERE TO ESTABLISH IT
A search at the relevant lands registry, conducted by a solicitor.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Rely on documents presented to you.
