Land literacy

This process is simple. You will need to submit: a copy of the death certificate, affidavit of death and form to requesting change of ownership to the Ministry of land   Step-by-step guide on how to change a name from one to another one in a title deed: Changing the name in a title deed from one to another is a recurrent activity especially in selling and buying land and housing...

Transaction costs can be very high in the Philippines The total roundtrip cost of property purchase is around 7% to 16.25% of the property value.  For taxation purposes, properties are treated as capital assets if it is not used in trade or business, and properties are treated as ordinary assets if it is used in trade or business, such as rental property. The 6% Capital Gains Tax applies only on...

Title Deed Conversion is the process of migrating all parcels from the repealed land registration statutes to a unitary regime under the Land Registration Act, 2012. All title deeds under the repealed land laws are under replacement with new ones, in compliance with the Land Registration Act, 2012 How much is title deed conversion? This exercise is free of charge How to know if your title deed...

There are five main methods used when conducting a property evaluation; the comparison, profits, residual, contractors and that of the investment. A property valuer can use one of more of these methods when calculating the market or rental value of a property. The most prominent and preferred method to use is the comparison methods, as it’s directly linked to current market...

STEP1: Director of Physical Planning prepares a plan creating plots for allocation for various users. STEP 2: Director of Surveys or private surveyor surveys the land and produces survey plan and numbering of land parcels. STEP 3: Director of Physical Planning in conjunction with the national land commission and other regulatory agencies prepare development guidelines for the area. STEP 4: The...

The right to the use and enjoyment of land has certain caveats that are superior to the individual. This article discusses the ways in which this right can be lost. The ownership of land in Kenya is not absolute and this right can be lost in the following ways; Non-renewal of leasehold interest Land holding tenure in Kenya is either freehold or leasehold. A Kenyan citizen or a company that is fully owned...

A section of investors in real estate are losing fortunes following transactions by ‘lawyers’ who are not licensed to practice. It is not easy for some of us who would want to buy a home or land to vet a licensed advocate. I have friends who bought land two years ago and are today told that the transactions were irregular. How do I know that a lawyer is licensed to practice as cases of people charged...

When a land lease expires in Kenya, the land reverts back to the lessor, which is typically the government. The lessee, which is the person who has been leasing the land, has the option to apply for a renewal of the lease, but there is no guarantee that the application will be approved. The decision of whether or not to renew a lease is made by the National Land Commission (NLC), which is an independent...

This is the acquisition of land by the government for a public purpose but subject to fair and prompt compensation. Publication of the intention to acquire is done through the Kenya gazette and County gazette. A notice is also given to the Land Registrar and every person with an interest in the land. Land compulsorily acquired by the government thus cannot be used for private development and...

1. Register or log in to the ardhisasa platform ardhisasa.lands.go.ke   2. Click on land rent under land administration services   3. Search for the parcel number or title number   4. Invoices for the land rent will be displayed   5. Instructions on how to complete the payment will also be provided in this section.     Source:...

Who has the right to inherit a deceased person’s property? The Law of Succession Act Cap 160 provides for persons that can inherit the property of a deceased person under section 29 as dependants which include:  the wife or wives, or former wife or wives, and the children of the deceased whether or not maintained by the deceased immediately prior to his death;  such of the deceased’s...

WHAT IS A MATRIMONIAL HOME? It means any property that is owned or leased by one or both spouses and occupied or utilized by the spouses as their family home, and includes any other attached property. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RIGHTS OF SPOUSES CONCERNING MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY? Matrimonial Property Act of (2013) the matrimonial property act provides that married women has the same rights as...

WRITTEN WILL A written will must have the following characteristics: • It must be signed by the maker. • Incase its signed by somebody other than the maker, then this should be done in the presence of the maker and under his/her directions. • It must me witnessed by two or more witnesses and these witnesses MUST NOT be beneficiaries in the will otherwise there shall be need of an additional...

Here’s what you need to know about title deeds. A title deed is a legal document that proofs ownership of property either land or a housing unit. Do you know how a title deed looks like? Have you interacted with a title deed in the past? If yes, you may have come across these details. If not we will help you learn more about title deeds. A title deed is white in color and with a seal and signature....

High cost of buying homes and poor land tenure system are the main reasons Kenyans construct own homes as opposed to purchasing ready ones, experts  say.  Most Kenyans prefer building own homes unlike in most developed economies where majority of the people buy ready homes. Recent report says only 3 per cent of Kenyan households living in own homes bought them while majority,94 per cent, live in...

Most neighbor disputes over property lines are easily resolved. Some, though, can turn ugly. If you’re in an argument with a neighbor over a property issue, follow these steps: 1. Stay composed Don’t use this disagreement to vent months or years of anger at your neighbor. That will only escalate the situation. Your goal should be to resolve the issue fairly, quickly and calmly — so keep...

The State-backed mortgage firm will cap cheap home loans at Sh4 million, kick starting operations after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) granted it the permit to start lending at an annual subsidised interest of seven percent or nearly half the prevailing market rates. Home buyers in Nairobi metropolitan area — which extends to neighbouring Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties — will...

Most people seeking land for development end up with unsuitable ones for the projects they had in mind simply because they did not understand the various categories of land and the tenure system applied in Kenya. Understanding types of land ownership is of paramount importance especially when it comes to purchasing land. Land tenure is the act, right or period of holding land. There are two types of...

Rental yields are moderate to good in Nairobi, expect around 6.5% from an apartment. How much will you earn? Gross rental yields on Nairobi apartments are moderately good, at around 6.0% to 7%. Townhouses yield around 5.0% to 6.0%. Yields on detached houses are lower, at 4% to 5.5%. Nairobi property is attractive, with significant capital gains potential. The best combination of rental yield and...

WHAT ARE THE LAND RIGHTS AS THEY RELATE TO THE YOUTH? The constitution of Kenya defines an ‘adult’ as an individual who has attained the age of eighteen years. For the purpose of determining rights accruing to the youth, there is need to appreciate that the constitution regards youths as adults and thus; • Each youth has the right to ownership, access and control of land and property. •...