Land buyers should take this document seriously before committing to a property transaction when buying land in Kenya. The Land Search document is issued at the relevant Land Registry. It helps protect the land buyer by addressing the following:

• Ensure that the size of the land matches what is indicated on the title deed.
• Verify that there are no unpaid rates or taxes associated with the land.
• Confirm that the land is not part of a large-scale settlement scheme, as such properties may be subject to legal disputes and complications with final registration. It is generally advisable to avoid purchasing these.
• Check for any unaccounted transactions on the land’s green card, which contains a complete history of all transactions related to the property.
• Ensure there are no encumbrances, such as mortgages, on the land. Buying such a land in Kenya may require additional payment to obtain the title deed.
• Check that there are no pending court cases involving the land.
• Verify that the plot number on the title deed matches the record in the Lands Registry.
• Confirm that there are no cautions or restrictions preventing the sale of the land. This will ensure you do not violate any laws by buying that land.
• Ensure that the title deed is recognized by the Lands Registry.
• Confirm that the land is not involved in an ongoing estate distribution of a deceased person’s assets. Buying such land may be illegal and could expose you to unnecessary lawsuits.

Below is an official land search sample photo.