The Process of Buying Land in Kenya
I came across this post by one Innocent Ratemo on the process of buying land in Kenya and I just had to share. He breaks it down step by step and it is impressive.
If you are buying land from an individual or a group, please follow the following steps:
- 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. The search will cost you kshs 520. - 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. - 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. Each costs Ksh 350 - 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. - Sit down with ua seller and bargain the price. Write down an
agreement. The agreement can be done before a lawyer or yu may decide
to do it yourself. It’s not a must to be written by a lawyer. According
to LSK, if the value of the land is below 1 million, you pay the lawyer
3k. If above 1m, yu pay 8k for the agreement.
The spouse MUST BE present! Ask me why the spouse must be present. - Pay some amounts or as per your agreement. Don’t pay everything, hata kama unazo pesa.
- Book a meeting with the lands control board(LCB). They meet once a
month. It will cost you kshs 1,000. But there is a special LCB meeting
which yu can book at 5k. LCB will issue consent for the land to be sold. - Pay the remaining balance after getting consent from LCB.
- 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. Cost kshs 5000. - 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 - 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.
You might also like : How to apply for a certificate of good conduct in the country
What are land rates?
well! thanks for informative share about that. Leaning about real estate investment in Kenya is great!