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Every year, many people, especially first-time buyers, fall victim to scams and illegitimate sales of residential stands in Zimbabwe. This has led to numerous demolitions and repossessions in recent years. With a national housing backlog estimated at over 1.25 million units, private developers have stepped in to fill the gap by buying large tracts of land and subdividing them into residential stands.
Beware of Land Scams
To avoid losing your hard-earned money to scammers, it's crucial to verify the authenticity of the stands before making a purchase. Estate agents or lawyers (ensure they are registered with the relevant regulatory bodies) can assist you in verifying the necessary documents before the property is even listed on the market. They will also check with relevant authorities such as local councils, the Registrar of Deeds, and the Surveyor-General.
Essential Documents to Verify
Before concluding a sale, ensure the following documents are available as proof of ownership:
- Title deed (in case of private ownership)
- Valid offer/allocation letter and agreement of sale (in the name of the seller) for State or council land
- Approved subdivision permit (issued by the relevant authority) for subdivided private land
- Approved layout plans for State or council land
- Approved survey diagram from the Surveyor-General
- Approved engineering designs for water, sewer, and roads (approved by the council's engineering department)
- Approved infrastructure implementation and approval on site (water, sewer, and roads signed off by council)
- Certificate of compliance (issued by council, confirming stages 1-5 have been completed to their satisfaction)
Protect Your Investment
Raising money to buy a residential stand can be challenging, and losing your investment to scammers can be devastating. Ensure you do everything right from the start by engaging legal advisors or estate agents to assist you in verifying documentation before concluding the deal.
Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry! Share this article with others to spread awareness and avoid falling prey to land scams.
