How to obtain C of O title for a non-state-owned land property
Wonder Double Global Solutions Limited as a Real Estate and Construction company has been having series of open discussion on Certificate of Occupancy C of O and after discussing the steps to follow in requesting and obtaining the title for the state-owned land in the previous discussion, the company was focusing on the non-state-owned land in the last discussion.
For a non-state-owned land, the process can be much longer because additional time will be spent on verification and other relevant due diligence. Like it has been established, getting a C of O is not so simple and easy in a country like Nigeria who is yet to fully adopt technology in their operations.
Basic steps to take in obtaining C of O for a non-state-owned land
- Submit Application and Vital Information Form for Certificate of Occupancy. Applicant’s name is compiled for publication
- Title Search for previous Registration and Site Inspection (21 days)
- Certificate of Occupancy Engrossment (by Land Use Allocation Committee)
- Recommendation for execution of Certificate of Occupancy (by Executive Secretary Land Use Allocation Committee, Senior Special Assistant Lands & Permanent Secretary Lands)
- Execution of Certificate of Occupancy (by Governor)
- Stamp Duty (by Commissioner for Stamp Duties); Registration of Certificate of Occupancy (by Land Registry)
- Collection of executed and registered Certificate of Occupancy (by you)
Documents you Need for a Non-State-Owned Land
Before starting the process of requesting the Certificate of Occupancy C of O for a non-state-owned land, you need to understand the requirements and know the papers (document) you will need at different level of the process.
- A formal Letter addressed to the Executive Secretary Land Use Allocation Committee
- A completed Certificate of Occupancy Form with receipt
- A Land Information Certificate with receipt
- Four original Survey Plan (2 in cloth and 2 in paper)
- Four passport photograph with white background
- A sketch map of the site Location
- Duly stamped purchase receipt
- Evidence of payment of Income Tax
- Current development levy (In the case of a company, you need 2 Directors Tax Clearance and development levy)
- A Publication Fee of N10,000.00
- Capital contribution fee subject to a minimum of N30,000.00
- Building plan approval if developed
- A copy of Tenement Rate receipt (if the property is occupied)
Conclusion
Obtaining C of O for a non-state-owned land is not easier or simpler compared to a the state owned lands but in both cases, due diligence is necessary and there is a need to have experts and professionals supervising the process because there is always a possibility you will end up with fake and cloned document. It will be much convenient to buy land directly from Real Estate companies like Wonder Double Global Investment that already have the experience and knowledge of the process and can assist you from start to finish without you breaking a sweat and taking unnecessary risks.
