Top 5 Must Have House Documents & How to Obtain It

Have you imagined the possibility of owning your own house in Nigeria only to let essential house documents get in the way?

Having the right documents for your property is just as important as buying the house itself.

Investing in your dream property without any missing paperwork means you do not have to face any legal dispute over your property because all documents are in order. Sounds like a win right?

Overall, having a proper house documentation gives you legal security, financial guarantee, and peace of mind.

In this blog post, I will break down the 5 must have house documents in Nigeria every homeowner needs and how to obtain it. Whether you are buying a land, building your house, or transferring ownership of property, having these correct papers will save you from future stress.

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5 Must Have House Documents To Own a Home In Nigeria

1. Certificate of Ownership (CofO)

The certificate of ownership (CofO) in Nigeria is one of the most critical legal document that proves ownership of land in Nigeria. It is very crucial for any real estate development. It is a must have if you are serious about your real estate or homeownership investment.

This house document is issued by the state governments by the authority of the state governor. It secures your right to the property at any given time.

Without the CofO, you do not legally own your property and the benefit of owning a property with CofO in a strategic location like Lekki where real estate developments like Highbury Heights Phase 1 and Highbury Heights Phase 2 is situated, it could be a great investment opportunity for you.

How to Obtain a CofO:

1. Get a Land Information Certificate: Visit the surveyor general’s office to get this document, which confirms key details about the land. It cost between ₦10,000 to ₦12,000.
2. Purchase and Fill Out the Application Form: Once you have acquired the Land Information Certificate, proceed to buy the Certificate of Occupancy application form from your state’s land bureau.
3. Submit the Required Documents: House documents such as land purchase receipts, tax clearance certificates, passport photograph, and sometimes a sworn affidavit will be submitted.
4. Publication and Objection Period: After you have submitted the above documents, your application will be published publicly for 3 weeks (21 days) to allow for any objections. If nobody comes forward to contest, you then proceed to the next stage.
5. Site Inspection: Officials from the Land Use Allocation Committee will visit your site to ensure everything matches the application.
6. Governor’s Approval and Final Issuance: After all these administrative steps have been taken, the governor of the state signs off on your CofO, and you will pay stamp duty and registration fees. In Lagos, it can sum up to ₦400,000.

2. Deed of Assignment

The deed of assignment in Nigeria is an official legal agreement document that transfers ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. It a document that shows the agreed price of the property, the names and address of the parties involved, and all terms of the sale.

This house document is proof that the ownership of a property has been transferred. In the absence of this document, it makes it difficult to proof legal ownership of a property in the future.

How to Obtain a Deed of Assignment:

1. Get a Lawyer: Get a professional lawyer to draft the deed of assignment ensuring it complies with the law as property transaction can be sometimes be complicated.
2. Carefully Review the Terms: Make sure you carefully review every detail of the document and ensure the price is clearly stated, the names of buyer and seller, property description, and the date of transfer are well documented.
3. Sign and Register the Document: Once the buyer and the seller signs the document, the deed of assignment should be taken to the lands registry for registration. This crucial step makes the property transfer public and official.

3. Deed of Conveyance

A deed of conveyance in Nigeria is another vital document used in land transactions. It serves as a proof of evidence of the transaction that a property sale has been completed, and clearly states the rights and obligations of the two parties involved.

If you’re purchasing land with a Deed of Conveyance, this document will transfer the legal title of the property from the seller to the buyer.

How to Obtain a Deed of Conveyance:

1. Have the Property Surveyed: Make sure the property has a registered survey plan that clearly outlines the exact boundaries and location of the piece of land. 
2. Get a Professional Lawyer: Hire a licensed lawyer to draft the deed of conveyance document, detailing the transfer of ownership from seller to buyer.
3. Verify Ownership Status of the Property: The lawyer conducts a legal search to verify if the seller holds the legal title and the land is not under government dispute.

4. The Registered Survey Plan

The registered survey plan in Nigeria is a vital house document when purchasing land. It provides detailed description of the boundaries and location of a piece of land. Without this document, there is bound to be land dispute.

The benefit of having this document is that it shows legal recognition of the land boundaries, prevent land disputes, and aid in property transaction.

It also ensures that the land/property is not located in government designated areas which could make transfer of ownership difficult.

How to Obtain a Registered Survey Plan:

1. Hire a Licensed Surveyor: The licensed surveyor prepares the survey plan document and provides an accurate measurement and detailed description of the property. 
2. Submit for Approval: The survey plan is submitted to the state office of the Surveyor-General for approval and registration of the plan. Once approved, you collect the final document which shows the boundaries and accurate size of the property.
3. Verification: The Surveyor-General’s office ensures the land is not under any government acquisition or land dispute before verifying.

5. Approved Building Plans

The approved building plan is an official house document that provides the specifications, layout, and structure of a property. It must be reviewed by the urban planning authority from the local government area before any construction begins.

Having a building plan ensures your building design adhere to the local zoning regulations, building codes, and safety standard.

If you start building without an approved building plan, you risk fines, penalties, or even having your building declared illegal. Its also important to have this document as it helps for future maintenance and renovations.

How to Obtain an Approved Building Plan:

1. Get a Qualified Architect: Get a qualified architect to draw up the building plan of your proposed building according to local regulations.
2. Submit Plans for Approval: Submit the completed building plan to the urban planning authority responsible for building regulations.
3. Review and Compliance: The urban planning authority ensures the building plan adheres to the safety standard, building codes, and local zoning regulations.
4. Collect your Building Plan Approval: Once the building plan meets all the requirements, it will be approved, and you can collect the official plan.

It is crucial to keep all these house documents in a file so it can be quickly accessed when the need arise. Also you can scan the documents and save them as digital copies for easy access at any given point.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Obtaining Property Documents

1. Ignoring Local Zoning Laws: Always carry out due diligence on a land or building you want to purchase. Some properties might be under restrictions for some certain reasons.
2. Skipping Legal Reviews: Always involve a legal and qualified lawyer to review all house documents, especially the deed of assignment and deed of conveyance.
3. Unregistered Documents: A lot of buyers make the mistake of not registering their property documents which can lead to land dispute in the future.

Conclusion

In Nigeria, the above listed house documents are very vital to have as they ensure you own the property and meet all legal requirements. It also serves as an insurance for your property investment.

Author Bio:

Hi, I’m Osas – a very passionate real estate enthusiast and property consultant based in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria. With years of experience helping individuals and families secure their dream homes, I’m here to guide you through the sometimes tricky world of property ownership and investment.

Join me as I share valuable insights in the real estate industry in Nigeria. Let’s go far together and be successful!