Title deeds are the legal documents that show and prove ownership in respect of any type of building or land. Title deeds are also known as Deeds of Transfer or Certificates of Registered Titles. Title Deeds will reflect the following information; 

• if there is a mortgage registered against that property conditions/ details of any access or other rights (sometimes known as ‘servitudes ‘) that come with a building or land
• show you where the boundaries of any land you own are (there may be a diagram of  the property)

Title deeds offer absolute ownership of immovable property which can be enforced against anyone, this is known as a real right.


What if the Property has no Title Deeds?
It is possible in Zimbabwe for land and any improvements thereon to be sold without any title Deeds. In most situations, title deeds are scheduled to come out at a later period. This method of ownership is common with land developers or local authorities. When the buyer and the land developer or local authority enter into an agreement of sale, the buyer acquires personal rights through a cession. A property currently held under an agreement of sale or cession, if subsequently sold, will be held under cession by the new “owner”. Cession properties can have challenges for double sales or disputes and do not have the same security provided by title deeds.


Before one purchases immovable property in Zimbabwe it is important to always conduct due diligence over the property, to confirm current ownership of the property, and any encumbrances registered over such property, such as a caveat. This will assist the prospective buyer in ensuring that the rightful owner is disposing of the property and the correct property is being purchased.