Lagos Land Buyer’s Checklist
🧠 Quick Summary
Your Trusted Guide to Buying Safe & Genuine Land in Lagos StateAt Housekia, our mission is to protect property buyers from scams, disputes, and costly mistakes. Lagos is one of Africa’s fastest-growing real estate markets — but it is also one of the easiest places to lose money if proper checks are ignored. This Housekia Lagos Land Buyer’s Checklist is designed to guide you step-by-step before you pay for any land.
Your Trusted Guide to Buying Safe & Genuine Land in Lagos State
At Housekia, our mission is to protect property buyers from scams, disputes, and costly mistakes. Lagos is one of Africa’s fastest-growing real estate markets — but it is also one of the easiest places to lose money if proper checks are ignored.
This Housekia Lagos Land Buyer’s Checklist is designed to guide you step-by-step before you pay for any land.
🔍 PHASE 1: SMART PRE-BUY CHECKS (Before Commitment)
✔ Research average land prices in the area
✔ Confirm the exact location, layout, and land size
✔ Ask why the land is being sold
✔ Request copies of all available documents
✔ Do NOT pay inspection or commitment fees yet
Housekia Tip:
If the price sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
📄 PHASE 2: DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Always request and review:
✔ Survey Plan
✔ Deed of Assignment
✔ Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Gazette
✔ Governor’s Consent (if it has changed ownership before)
✔ Purchase receipts and land history
✔ Excision documents (where applicable)
🚩 Housekia Warning Signs:
“Documents are still processing.”
Names don’t match the seller.
Refusal to release copies.
🏛 PHASE 3: GOVERNMENT VERIFICATION
Confirm land status at:
✔ Lagos State Land Registry
✔ Office of the Surveyor-General of Lagos State
✔ Ministry of Physical Planning
Ensure the land is:
✔ Not under government acquisition
✔ Free from court cases or mortgages
✔ Properly charted and documented
Housekia Standard:
No payment before government confirmation.
🏞 PHASE 4: PHYSICAL LAND INSPECTION
✔ Visit the site personally
✔ Go with a surveyor or professional
✔ Confirm beacons and boundaries
✔ Speak with neighboring residents
✔ Check accessibility, drainage, and environment
✔ Inspect during rainy season if possible
🚩 Red Flag: Any refusal to grant site access.
👨👩👦 PHASE 5: OMO ONILE & COMMUNITY CHECK
✔ Identify the original land-owning family
✔ Confirm all principal family heads consent
✔ Ask about previous disputes
✔ Ensure there are no multiple claims
✔ Confirm all legitimate family settlements
Housekia Advice:
Multiple families claiming the same land is a major danger sign.
⚖ PHASE 6: LEGAL PROTECTION
✔ Engage a qualified real estate lawyer
✔ Conduct legal due diligence
✔ Draft a proper Deed of Assignment
✔ Confirm the seller’s authority to sell
✔ Ensure proper execution and witnessing
Housekia Rule:
Never skip legal review to save money.
💳 PHASE 7: PAYMENT & TRANSACTION SAFETY
✔ Avoid cash payments
✔ Pay only into traceable bank accounts
✔ Collect official receipts
✔ Sign documents only after verification
✔ Take possession immediately
✔ Fence and mark the land
✔ Begin title perfection
🛡 PHASE 8: POST-PURCHASE SECURITY
✔ Register your documents
✔ Process Governor’s Consent
✔ Fence the land
✔ Place ownership signage
✔ Monitor the land regularly
✔ Secure physical and digital copies of all documents
🚨 HOUSEKIA QUICK RED-FLAG LIST
🚩 No verifiable documents
🚩 Unusually cheap price
🚩 Pressure to pay fast
🚩 No land inspection
🚩 Multiple ownership claims
🚩 Discouraging lawyers/surveyors
🚩 No government search
If you encounter any of these — pause immediately.
🏁 Final Note from Housekia
Buying land in Lagos is not about speed — it is about security, verification, and protection.
A genuine land transaction will always allow:
✔ Inspection
✔ Legal review
✔ Government confirmation
If any of these are blocked or rushed, walk away.