Buying Guide
Buying Land in Kenya: The Checklist Every Buyer Should Use
Andrew Macharia · 29 July 2026
Title search, land rates, succession and survey — the seven checks that separate a clean purchase from a costly one.
Buying land in Kenya is straightforward when the paperwork is done in the right order. Skipping a step is what turns an ordinary purchase into a multi-year dispute.
## 1. Start with an official search A search at the lands registry confirms the registered owner, the parcel size and any caveats or charges. It costs very little and it is the single most useful thing you can do before parting with money.
## 2. Confirm the seller's identity The name on the title must match the national ID of the person signing. Where the owner is deceased, insist on a completed succession and a confirmed grant before proceeding.
## 3. Visit the parcel with a surveyor Beacons move. A surveyor working from the registry index map will confirm that the ground you are shown is the ground on the title.
## 4. Check land rates and rent Outstanding rates and land rent follow the parcel, not the seller. Ask for clearance certificates.
## 5. Understand the zoning County zoning determines what you can build. A residential plot on a road reserve is not a commercial opportunity.
## 6. Use a written sale agreement Have an advocate draw the agreement. Verbal terms are unenforceable when things go wrong.
## 7. Register the transfer promptly Possession is not ownership. The transfer must be registered and a new title issued in your name.
At Ufanizi Real Estate we run these checks on every parcel we list, and we walk buyers through each one before a shilling changes hands.