If you skip this step, you’re gambling with your life savings.
Property fraud is one of the most common—and most painful—legal problems buyers face. A document can look “official” and still be completely worthless.
To verify a property title properly, you should never rely on verbal assurances or “connections.” Instead, focus on evidence.
Start by confirming:
- The registered owner’s name matches the seller
- The title is registered with the appropriate land registry
- There are no encumbrances (mortgages, court orders, disputes)
- The land is not under government acquisition or restriction
This usually involves a search at the land registry, examination of survey plans, and cross-checking boundaries. In some cases, physical inspection and community verification are also necessary.
Here’s the hard truth: Most property scams succeed because buyers try to save money on legal checks. What they end up losing is far more than a lawyer’s fee.
A property lawyer doesn’t just “check papers.” They protect you from:
- Buying disputed land
- Paying the wrong person
- Losing ownership years later
If you’re buying property, verification is not optional. It’s survival.