What You Need to Know About Land Mutation

Greetings dear investor, welcome once again to our monthly dose of everything Real Estate in Kenya. Subject to our previous blogs, we as Kenya’s Number One Strategic Investment Partner have ensured that we serve you with relevant information relevant in your endeavors of investing in Real Estate.

Forgive my assumptions, but I believe you have or you will eventually come across the word Land Mutation.  As a land investor, the Mutation process is essential as it is carried out in all instances of property transfers. A Mutation form is basically a document used to register land subdivisions or amalgamations and is always issued in triplicate by a Licensed Surveyor.

Through the mutation process the new owner acquires the title of the property registered in their name. The mutation process therefore, becomes relevant in determining the tax liability when the property ownership is changed.

Mutation process

1. The purchaser is required to apply for mutation from a licensed land surveyor. These professionals get the documents from Survey of Kenya.  In the application form, particulars of the owner such as personal details, property address, registration date, type of transfer (if it is a sale deed, a gift, etc.) need to be highlighted.
2. Details about the land and a map showing the subdivision or amalgamation measurements are shown. 
3. The licensed surveyor then approves the work done and the form is presented to the District Surveyor and is registered.
4. Here, a cartographer issues new parcel numbers to the new parcels in the mutation. These will also be the new corresponding title numbers.
5. The form is then taken to the Land Registrar’s office and is approved.
6. It is then used to amend the Registry Index Map of the locality the parcel falls under.  

Why is Mutation Important?

Land Mutation is essential as it acts as evidence representing subdivision or amalgamation of property.  Regardless of the change in ownership, you as an investor should also check for the mutation to ensure that there is no legal fraud taking place. Through Mutation, the investor gets the property/land recorded in his/her name in the land registry and the government is able to charge property tax from the rightful owner.

To get started on the mutation process, you will need to consult a professional land surveyor, who will in turn perform necessary measurements on the land, apply those measurements on the mutation forms, present the forms to a licensed surveyor, and thereafter to the District Surveyor’s office for registration.

Real estate is an exciting venture to dive in for any investor and even better for those who work hand in hand with legitimate real estate companies in Kenya such as The Wealthsmith Limited. We hope that this Blog-Post has been efficient, informative and helpful to your journey in investing in Land.

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