Common Terms in Land Transaction

A land search is simply an official request to find out exactly who owns a piece of property, and what interests or restrictions have been registered against it - and it's one of the cheapest, most effective ways to protect yourself as a buyer.

A proper search reveals the registered owner's name, whether ownership is individual, joint, or corporate, and the title deed's own number and date. It also confirms the property's size, location, boundaries, and whether it's freehold or leasehold.

Just as importantly, it surfaces anything that could complicate a purchase: pending legal disputes, registered mortgages, caveats restricting sale, or unpaid fees - along with a history of past ownership changes.

Searches can be done two ways: online through the Ardhisasa platform, or manually at the relevant local Ministry of Lands registry office. Either way, running one before you commit funds is a basic step that catches problems long before they become expensive ones.