Investing in land is a major achievement, but it also comes with a greater responsibility of safeguarding it from fraudsters.
Land fraud is a common threat in Kenya, and thus, protecting it after purchase is crucial to avoid legal disputes, financial losses, or even the risk of losing the property altogether.
Here are seven ways through which you can protect your land from fraudsters after purchase.
Read Also: 5 Tips to Improve Land Value: A Guide by AMCCO
1. Register the Land in Your Name Immediately
After buying land, many people delay transferring the title deed to their name, thinking it’s safe as long as they have a sale agreement. However, fraudsters often target unregistered land to forge ownership documents.
What to do: Visit the Ministry of Lands (or use the Ardhisasa platform) to officially transfer the title into your name. Work with a lawyer to ensure it’s done legally and correctly.
2. Fence and Erect Signage
A clearly demarcated boundary shows ownership and deters encroachers and land grabbers. It also helps neighbors recognize and respect your space.
What to do: Use barbed wire, live hedges, or concrete posts for fencing. Add a sign reading “Private Property – No Trespassing” with your name or phone number if possible.
3. Register a Caution or Caveat
A caution is a formal warning entered in the land registry to indicate that no dealings should be done on the land without your consent. This protects you against secret transactions.
A widow in Thika successfully stopped her in-laws from illegally selling land left by her husband by placing a caution until succession was complete.
Read Also: 7 Ways to Protect Your Land from Fraudsters After Purchase
What to do: Visit the Land Registry and apply for a caution or caveat. You can do this through your lawyer or on Ardhisasa (for Nairobi-based properties).
4. Make Periodic Visits or Assign a Caretaker
Unattended land, especially in rural or peri-urban areas, is often targeted for illegal occupation or farming by neighbors and squatters.
What to do: If you’re far from the land, assign a trusted caretaker or neighbor to check in regularly. If you’re abroad, work with reputable land management firms or real estate companies offering such services.
5. Keep Original Ownership Documents Safe
Losing documents like the title deed, sale agreement, mutation forms, or land maps makes it easy for fraudsters to forge new ones and claim your land.
What to do: Keep documents in a secure home safe, a lawyer’s custody, or a bank’s safe deposit box. You can also scan and back them up digitally.
6. Digitally Verify the Title on Ardhisasa
Linking your land to your personal Ardhisasa account lets you view all records and receive notifications if someone attempts to make changes.
What to do: Log in to Ardhisasa, create your account, and add your land under your profile. You’ll need your ID, title number, and LR number.
7. Stay Updated on Land Laws and Notices
County governments and national bodies often publish land-related changes, like zoning, repossession, or infrastructure development—that could affect your property.
Read Also: Why Site Visits Are Crucial When Buying Land in Kenya
What to do: Regularly read local newspapers, follow the Ministry of Lands, read blogs from reliable real estate companies like AMCCO Properties limited, and join local landowners WhatsApp or Facebook groups to stay informed.
For further assistance on real estate investment plans, contact AMCCO Properties Limited today via 0701 293 199.
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