Land Information Certificate is one of the major due diligence documents you need, especially If you’re planning to purchase land in Lagos, Nigeria. This post is written to guide you through the process of making informed decisions about your real estate investment strategy. A Land Information Certificate is needed when buying land in the big cities of Nigeria – most especially Lagos.
Land Information Certificate
Table of Contents
In Nigeria, particularly Lagos, every buyer of land, whether it’s residential or commercial, must obtain a Land Information Certificate (LIC) before paying for the land or presenting any cheque to any real estate agent or real estate company.
The importance of the land information certificate cannot be overemphasized because of its use in validating if the land is under government acquisition or not.
What does a Land Information Certificate – LIC Do?
Land Information Certificate provides ownership information for every parcel of land within a given state or locality. They contain information about the status of land and the proposed government zoning on the land.
How do I get it?
Getting a Land Information Certificate is relatively straightforward, though it can take some time. You need to go through the Office of the Surveyor-General of the State before you can obtain a Land Information Certificate.
The surveyor can provide a certificate attesting to the fact that the land you are about to buy falls within government acquisition or not.
How do I Process it – Lagos State Case Study
- At the Surveyor’s General Office, you will have to submit an application letter with the Survey Plan to the Record Unit for assessment.
- The Record Unit will issue the fee payable based on the location and size of the land with evidence of submission of “Record Copy” by the private practising Surveyor.
- Thereafter, you will take the assessment form to the Account Directorate for the Issuance of Bank Payment advice.
- After which you will make the appropriate payment to a designated bank account.
You will then submit all relevant documents at the Registry of the Office of the Surveyor-General including the following:
-
1 Sun print copy of the Survey Plan.
-
Evidence of payment of assessment fee (Government Receipt)
-
Evidence of payment of Development Levy (receipt)
Thereafter you will have to wait for about one week i.e. five working days before the Land Information will be made available. It may, however, take a few days more to get it. When it is finally ready you will get the Sun Print copy of the Survey Plan you earlier submitted with another document attached to it showing the status of the land
Do I need a Consultant for It?
No, it is not compulsory to engage a consultant. However, some Real Estate Consultancies specialize in such processes and will be able to advise you on every step; they have strong networks with government departments and other parties involved, so they can process your application with less hassle. It is also usually easier to apply through an agent; moreover, agents are authorized to make payments on your behalf.
Learning Review
Land information not only tells you the current status of the land (whether it is free from Government acquisition or not), but it is also one of the requirements you will need when processing a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for your property. Getting Land Information (Certificate) as a land owner is very important.
Never forget the key highlights of this learning;
-
What does a Land Information Certificate Do?
-
How do I get a Land Information Certificate?
-
Land Information Certificate Process – Lagos Case Study
-
Do I need a Consultant to Process Land Information Certificate?
You may also find these articles useful;
Disclaimer;
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Always consult a reputable professional before embarking on any land / real estate related project.
—
For Professional Real Estate Advice, Please feel free to reach out to;
Author Profile
- I am Bolaji Afolabi, a Partner at Globalclique, and a CIO @ Ibugbe and Partners - Pan African Real Estate + Technology + HR Consulting Group. Bolaji is celebrated for his expertise in seamlessly blending human capital with cutting-edge technologies, and also providing professional advisory services.
Latest entries
REAL ESTATEApril 4, 2024Understanding Real Estate Joint Ventures: A Comprehensive Guide- GROWTH HACKINGSeptember 5, 20228 Powerful Ways to Look Good and Feel Great
- GROWTH HACKINGSeptember 5, 2022The 3 Core Types of Income
- GROWTH HACKINGSeptember 5, 2022Smart P.O.M Model for Business Success
2 thoughts on “Ultimate Facts about Land Information Certificate in Nigeria; 4 Missing Questions”