Buying land in Enugu and wondering what to look out for?
The process can be complicated, especially if you’re not familiar with the necessary steps to ensure a safe and secure transaction.
This is why understanding the key things to look out for when buying land in Enugu is crucial.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know into simple, easy-to-understand steps.
From verifying ownership documents to ensuring the land is free of encumbrances, checking zoning laws, and using the services of a professional real estate company, we’ll cover all the essential points to help you make a safe and informed purchase.
This way, you can avoid stress and focus on the exciting prospects of owning land in one of Nigeria’s most promising cities.
1. Verify Land Ownership Documents
The Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is the most important document you should ask for when buying land.
This document is like a certificate saying that the person selling the land really owns it and has the right to use it.
Without this document, you might end up buying land from someone who doesn’t have the legal right to sell it.
How to Verify: Ask the seller to show you the original C of O. Take a copy to the Enugu State Land Registry, where they keep records of all land documents. The officials there can help you check if the C of O is genuine. They can also help you to check if the land truly belongs to the seller.
Also Read: 10 Reasons to Invest in Enugu Based on Research
2. Confirm the Land is Free from Encumbrances
Encumbrances are like problems attached to the land that you might not see with your eyes but can cause big issues later.
These problems could be that the land was used as security for a loan or legal fights over who owns the land.
How to Verify: You need to search the Land Registry in Enugu. The search will tell you if there are any such cases connected to the land. This step is very important because if there’s any encumbrance, it means someone else could have a claim on the land, and you might lose your money.
3. Check the Land Use and Zoning Laws
Every piece of land has a specific purpose according to the government. Some land is meant for building houses (residential), some for shops and businesses (commercial), and others for farming (agricultural). If you buy land without knowing what it’s meant for, you could be stopped from using it the way you want.
How to Verify: Go to the town planning office in Enugu to ask what the land is zoned for. They will tell you whether the land is for building homes, businesses, or something else. If you want to build a house, make sure the land is zoned for residential use.
Also Read: How to Know a Good Land to Buy for Investment in Enugu
4. Inspect for Physical and Legal Possession
Sometimes, land can be sold to more than one person, or it might be occupied by someone else who claims it’s theirs.
This is why it’s important to visit the land yourself to see if there’s anyone living on it or if there are any buildings already there.
How to Verify: Go to the land with the seller and check if anyone is living on it or using it. You should also ask around in the neighborhood to see if anyone else claims to own the land.
5. Conduct a Survey of the Land
A land survey is like a map that shows the exact boundaries of the land you want to buy. This is important because sometimes the land being sold is smaller or larger than what the seller claims. Also, a survey will help you avoid buying land that overlaps with someone else’s property.
How to Verify: Hire a licensed surveyor to measure the land and create a survey plan. The surveyor will give you a document that shows the exact size and boundaries of the land. Take this document to the Surveyor General’s office in Enugu to confirm that it matches the official records.
6. Investigate the Seller’s Authority to Sell
Not everyone who claims to own land has the right to sell it. For example, if the land belongs to a family or community, the person selling it must have permission from the other family or community members. If they don’t, the sale could be challenged later, and you could lose your land.
How to Verify: Ask the seller for proof that they have the authority to sell the land. If it’s family or community land, ask for a letter of consent signed by all the key family members or community leaders. It’s also a good idea to talk to the family or community yourself to make sure they agree to the sale.
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7. Consider Future Development Plans
What to Know: Sometimes, the government has plans to build roads, schools, or other projects in an area. If the land you want to buy is in the way of these plans, the government might take it back, and you might not get compensated. It’s important to know about these plans before you buy.
How to Verify: Visit the Enugu State Ministry of Lands and Urban Development to find out if there are any future development plans in the area where the land is located. If there are plans, ask how they might affect the land you want to buy.
8. Get Legal Advice
What to Know: Buying land involves a lot of legal documents and procedures that can be confusing. A property lawyer has the requisite knowledge to understand these things and can help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you a lot of money.
How to Verify: Before you sign any documents or pay any money, hire a lawyer who specializes in property transactions. The lawyer will help you review all the documents. They do this to make sure everything is in order, and guide you through the process to ensure that your purchase is legal and safe.
9. Use a Professional Real Estate Company
Buying land in Enugu can be a complicated process with many legal and technical details that might be hard to understand. This is particularly true if you’re doing it on your own. A professional real estate company can help make the process easier, smoother, and safer for you. These companies have experts who know all the ins and outs of buying land in Enugu. They can help you avoid problems that you might not even know about.
How They Help:
Document Verification: A good real estate company will check all the documents for you. They will make sure that the land has a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and that there are no legal issues or encumbrances attached to the land. This means they’ll handle all the checks with the Land Registry, so you don’t have to worry about anything being hidden or overlooked.
Physical Inspection: The real estate company will inspect the land to ensure that it is free from any occupants or structures that could cause disputes later. They also check the boundaries to ensure that what you’re paying for matches what’s on the ground.
Negotiation and Pricing: These companies have experience in negotiating the best prices and terms for land purchases. They can help you get a fair deal and avoid overpaying for the land.
Legal Support: They often work with property lawyers. The property lawyer is to ensure that all the legal aspects of the transaction are handled correctly. This means that the Deed of Assignment and other legal documents are properly drafted, signed, and registered.
Using a professional real estate company like me can take the stress off you. I will handle the heavy lifting for you. That way, you don’t have to worry about being a victim of scam, buying land with problems, or dealing with difficult paperwork. They make sure everything is clear, legal, and ready to go, so you can focus on other things.
Also Read: Money Saving Guide for Your First Real Estate Investment
Conclusion
In conclusion, buying land in Enugu can be a straightforward process if you follow the right steps.
You need to verify ownership documents to ensure the land is free from encumbrances. Check zoning laws, inspect the land, conduct a survey, investigate the seller’s authority to sell, consider future development plans, get legal advice, and use a professional real estate company.
If you fulfill all these, you can make a safe and informed purchase. Remember, taking your time to do your due diligence is key to avoiding costly mistakes.
Dear investor, don’t be a victim of land scam in Enugu when a genuine real estate company. Reach out to me on +2348033352126 or click on this phone number to send me a WhatsApp message, +2348033352126
