Due Diligence : Purchasing TITLED Immovable Property in Zimbabwe
By Urayayi Chikwetu
Many of us have witnessed with sorrow demolition of houses in the past. We may have been victims or onlookers as authorities demolishes the houses alleging that the owners of the houses were occupying the land illegally. We also have recently witnessed the demolition of houses in Belvedere as recent as December 2024. These houses were built by individuals who are based in Zimbabwe or in the diaspora. They bought the properties after being convinced of the legitimate status of the properties by the sellers. It pains to see the fruits of your sweat being razed to the ground in seconds. There is a proven procedure which safeguard year precious and hard-earned money .
There is no doubt that everyone wants a roof above his or her head or that some individuals regard fixed properties like house or stands are vehicles through which they can preserve the value for their money. Hard earned money can disappear like smoke in the property market if the buyer fails to take certain steps or procedures the safeguard oneself. In this article I will focus on procedures to be followed by would purchasers when dealing with titled property .The following must be done:
1. Demand particular papers or documents from the purported owner . These include certified copies of the Deed of Grant or Deed of Transfer, identification documents of the supposed owners. As good practice ,request the finger prints of the purported owner.
2. Get a legal description of the property from the Surveyor General’s Office . Keep the following in mind all the time , “No diagram, no deed.” Major warning or red flag!
3. Conduct a Deeds search at the deeds office. This will help you establish a number of things .You can confirm if the names and details of the purported owner and the named individual on the Deed agree. This will also help highlight if there are any caveats, miscellaneous agreements, encumbrances like a mortgage bond, endorsements on the property in question .
4. Consult with experts. Engage a legal practitioner for him or her to verify the identity documents of the purported owner.
5. In cases where the property you want to buy forms part of deceased estate, make sure to request Letters of Administration from the Master of the High Court.
Conclusion
The amount involved in purchasing properties is often very high. Follow the procedure to safeguard your hard-earned cash. If you still have a burning issue about the procedure to follow when purchasing immovable property, let us ventilate this further on the phone or WhatsApp shown below:
+263 779 096 395
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Disclaimer
This information is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This must not be taken to be legal advice . If you need legal advice visit or call a legal practitioner for legal advice on your specific situation