Good property decisions start with documents. The exact list depends on the property type, location, seller, and transaction structure, but every buyer should know what to request before money changes hands.
Core documents to request
- Site plan or cadastral plan
- Indenture, lease, assignment, conveyance, or root title document
- Lands Commission search report where applicable
- Seller identification and proof of authority
- Building permit or planning approval for developed property
- Property rate, utility, and service charge information where relevant
For apartments and gated communities
Ask for the developer agreement, title evidence for the parent land, house rules, service charge structure, completion schedule, defect liability terms, and any management company documentation.
For company sellers
Confirm the company registration, directors or authorised signatories, board approval where required, and whether the property is charged to a bank or other lender.
For family, stool, or skin land
Documentation should show that the right people have consented. Family or customary land transactions can fail when consent is incomplete, informal, or given by the wrong person.
Do not treat paperwork as a formality
Documents tell you who can sell, what is being sold, what restrictions apply, and what risk remains. If the documents are inconsistent, slow down and investigate before you pay.
