Property purchases involve major financial and legal commitments. A beautiful building, attractive price or persuasive seller should never replace careful verification.

This guide presents practical preliminary checks that buyers should consider before transferring money for land, an apartment or a completed building. It is general educational information and does not replace advice from qualified legal, survey, valuation or technical professionals.

Important starting point Never rely only on photographs, verbal assurances, allocation papers or a physical inspection. Ownership, title, boundaries, planning status and transaction authority should be independently verified.

1. Confirm who is selling the property

The first question is whether the person presenting the property has the legal authority to sell it. The seller may be the registered owner, an authorised representative, a developer, an estate company, an attorney or an agent acting under instructions.

Ask for clear identification and documentary evidence connecting the seller to the property. Where an agent is involved, confirm the agent's authority directly with the owner or company.

Seller identificationConfirm the seller's legal name and valid identification.
Ownership connectionCheck how the seller obtained or controls the property.
Authority to sellVerify agency letters, powers of attorney or company authority.
Multiple ownersConfirm that all required owners or family representatives consent.
Property documents being reviewed
Property documentation should be reviewed carefully before payment or commitment.

2. Review the title documents

Property documents vary depending on how the land or building was acquired, the location, the government scheme involved and previous transactions. A document's appearance alone does not prove that it is valid or that the seller has a transferable interest.

Common documents may include a Certificate of Occupancy, Governor's Consent, Deed of Assignment, Registered Survey, Allocation Letter, Purchase Receipt, Power of Attorney or other supporting records.

Questions the document review should answer

  • Does the name on the document match the seller or establish a clear chain of ownership?
  • Does the property description match the location and boundaries being shown?
  • Has the document been properly executed, registered or consented to where required?
  • Are there mortgages, disputes, restrictions, acquisitions or competing claims?
  • Is the proposed property use consistent with applicable planning rules?

3. Verify the survey and boundaries

A survey plan identifies the property's location, dimensions, coordinates and boundary points. Buyers should ensure that the survey corresponds to the actual land being inspected.

A licensed surveyor can help confirm boundary beacons, detect overlaps, assess whether the land falls within an acquisition area and compare the physical site with the survey information.

Do not guess boundaries Fences, trees, roads or verbal descriptions may not reflect the legally recognised boundary. A professional survey check helps reduce overlap and encroachment risks.

4. Carry out a proper physical inspection

A physical inspection should go beyond viewing the frontage. Examine access, drainage, terrain, flooding history, electricity, water, road condition, surrounding development and security.

For buildings, consider using qualified professionals to review structural condition, roofing, plumbing, wiring, dampness, ventilation, finishing quality and maintenance needs.

Modern residential property inspection
A physical inspection helps reveal practical issues that may not appear in photographs.

5. Check planning and permitted use

A property may be residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural or mixed use. Confirm that the intended use is allowed and that relevant approvals exist for completed or ongoing development.

For buildings and estates, ask about approved plans, development permits, estate rules, service arrangements, infrastructure commitments and any restrictions affecting alterations or commercial use.

6. Use a secure payment procedure

Payment should follow satisfactory verification and clearly documented transaction terms. Confirm the recipient's identity, bank details, payment milestones, refund conditions and what document will be issued after each payment.

  1. Obtain a written offer or transaction summary.
  2. Confirm the exact property and agreed price.
  3. Verify the authorised payment account independently.
  4. Use traceable payment methods.
  5. Collect signed receipts and transaction documents.
  6. Complete transfer, registration and possession steps promptly.

7. Engage appropriate professionals

A property consultant may assist with sourcing, communication and inspections, but legal ownership checks should be handled by a qualified legal professional. Survey issues require a licensed surveyor, while building condition may require engineers, architects, valuers or other specialists.

The cost of professional verification is usually small compared with the potential loss from a disputed, defective or unsuitable property.

8. Watch for warning signs

  • Pressure to pay immediately before verification.
  • A price significantly below comparable properties without a clear explanation.
  • Refusal to provide copies of documents or seller identification.
  • Different names appearing across documents without a clear ownership chain.
  • Requests to pay into an unrelated personal account.
  • Conflicting boundary descriptions or multiple people claiming authority.
  • Promises that documentation can be corrected only after payment.
Final reminder A legitimate transaction should withstand reasonable questions and independent checks. Delays caused by proper verification are preferable to losses caused by rushing.

Conclusion

Before paying for property, confirm the seller, examine the title, verify the survey, inspect the property, check planning status, document the agreement and use secure payment channels. Professional advice should be obtained whenever ownership, documents, boundaries or building condition are unclear.

CANDIV Real Estate supports clients with property sourcing, inspections and transaction coordination while encouraging independent legal, survey and technical verification.

Property Buying Land Documents Due Diligence Nigeria Real Estate