A property purchase should begin with verification, not payment. A title document, a broker’s assurance or a view of the property is not enough to establish ownership, authority to sell or the terms of a safe transfer. This checklist explains the core due-diligence questions for a buyer in Nairobi and across Kenya.
Confirm the land and the seller
- Obtain an official search and compare it with the title documents supplied.
- Confirm the seller’s identity, capacity and authority, including company resolutions or grants where relevant.
- Check registered charges, cautions, restrictions, easements and any consent required before transfer.
- Inspect the property and confirm occupation, access, boundaries and any lease or tenancy position.
Check approvals and transaction documents
For apartments and developments, inspect the sectional plan, approvals, service-charge arrangements, management-company documents and handover obligations. For land or a house, check planning, land-use and construction approvals where they affect the intended use. The sale agreement should state the deposit terms, completion documents, conditions, remedies and how funds will be held.
Control funds and timing
Do not release the purchase price merely because a document has been provided. The payment sequence should follow the signed agreement and the documents required for completion. A buyer should understand taxes, registration costs, lender requirements and the consequences if either side cannot complete on time.
Our real estate and conveyancing practice advises on property due diligence and transfers. This guide is general information and does not replace advice on a specific property.