When you consider buying property, one of the first things you should do is visit the Deeds Registry and conduct a “Title Search” or “Deeds Search”. This is also known as due diligence. This will put you at ease knowing that the property you want to invest in exists, whether there are any encumbrances registered over the property, and most importantly that it is being sold to you by the rightful owner.
Below are a few easy steps to help you go through the process:
1. Approach the Registrar of Deeds Offices. There are two in Zimbabwe:
(a) HARARE: Century House, East 38 Nelson Mandela Avenue,
(b) BULAWAYO: Tredgold Building, 2nd Floor, Room 222, Fort Street/L.Takawira Street
2. Report to the information desk, where you will find personnel ready to assist you. Inform them you would like to conduct a search. You will be required to pay a search fee.
3. Thereafter, give the assistant the name of the person/company that currently owns the property, and the name is run through the database for confirmation. Once the name has been confirmed the assistant will give you the registered Title Deed Number which is unique to the particular Title Deed for the particular property.
4. After having obtained a Title Deed Number, you proceed to record in the Search book. The Title Deed which you are searching for will be in a large bound book. You will need to use the Title Deed Number provided to find the particular Deed you require. The Deed will have all the important information which will be useful to you, including:
- Who the registered owner is
- The full description of the property – which will state where the property is physically located; the size of the property and any conditions attached to the property
- When the property was transferred and the reason for transfer
- Any encumbrance or Mortgages on the property
This Title Search is an important exercise that will assist you in making a decision on investment in a particular property. Where you come across information on the Deed that you
very helpful, thank you
Very helpful information.
The deeds office has the worst service.The blatant disregard for time and business ethics is unbelievable.l was told to join a queue on the pavement with no social distancing enforcement to pay a search fee.l was totally ready to pay BUt we were told that the receipting office takes only 50 people per day and closes at 12.30 p.m🤔.l thought it was a joke.One of 2 offices in the country stating such and bragging about providing a service.No wonder there are so many agents milling around there taking money from foreigners and locals.So many unregistered businesses.That process is c
CRAZY.Who is in charge there.l am trying to register online to do the search and it is not allowing me.Please improve the gvt.portal.
Title deeds office is in a mess.Its high time the minister gets fired because he is AWOL..This department is not performing at.all.Title deeds applications made in 2020 are still outstanding.
Very helpful, thank you MMM team!
Wow
Could you provide assistance with locating a title deed? Transfer was done in 2015 and Title Deed still not received.
May you please increase the number of tailers, we spend many hours waiting to be saved by one or two tailers.
I have my title deed but site plan is missing. Is it possible to get one?
2676 Marondera Lower paradise park
is there a web site available