How Do You Verify Title and Developer Documents in Ghana?
Verify title with a Lands Commission search before you pay. Check the seller’s identity against the registered owner. Confirm the agent or developer licence with the Real Estate Agency Council. Keep payments in a lawyer’s escrow or a verified company account. Ownkey’s 2026 fraud guide lists 16 checks across three phases.
What Should You Check Before You Pay?
- Title search. Request a Certified True Copy through the Lands Commission online portal at onlineservices.lc.gov.gh. Fees run from about GH₵400 to GH₵2,000 depending on the source and the property.
- Seller identity. Your lawyer compares the seller’s Ghana Card or passport with the registered owner.
- Licence. Verify any agent at reac.gov.gh before you pay a fee.
- Developer record. For off-plan, confirm membership of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association and visit two completed projects.
- Litigation. Your lawyer searches court registries for cases on the property.
- Site. Visit in daylight and match the boundaries to the site plan.
Which Documents Should You Request?
| Document | What the document shows |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | The Lands Commission’s own record of ownership. The strongest title document, per Ownkey |
| Registered indenture | A deed of conveyance. Strong when stamped by the Ghana Revenue Authority and registered |
| Site plan | Plot boundaries, prepared by a licensed surveyor. Have your own surveyor match the plan to the plot |
| Building permit | Approval from the district or municipal assembly. Ownkey states unpermitted structures cannot transfer with clean title |
| Developer licence | Registration with the Real Estate Agency Council |
| Stamp duty receipt | Proof of duty paid on any earlier transfer |
Which Fraud Patterns Should You Know?
| Pattern | Counter |
|---|---|
| Multiple-sale fraud: one plot sold to several buyers | Title search and identity match before any payment |
| Forged indentures or stamps | Start the search yourself on the portal. Compare a Certified True Copy line by line |
| Seller impersonation using a power of attorney | Verify the power directly with the issuing lawyer |
| Off-plan developer diversion | Pay through a lawyer’s escrow, not a personal account. Cap the deposit at 30% |
What Do the Laws Require?
The Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) requires land transfers in writing and registration at the Lands Commission to hold against third parties. The Real Estate Agency Act 2020 (Act 1047) requires cashless payment by bank draft, cheque, or electronic transfer. For the full buying sequence, read the step-by-step guide for Ghanaians abroad.
Where Does Regalia Residence Fit?
Ask Regalia for the developer licence, title documents, and payment plan in writing. Give all three to your own lawyer before you pay. Studios start from $107,000 including VAT, with payment plans on every unit type.
Request the Regalia price list or message the sales team on WhatsApp at +233 595 959595.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check who owns a property in Ghana?
Your lawyer requests a Certified True Copy from the Lands Commission and compares the registered owner with the seller’s Ghana Card or passport.
How much does a Lands Commission search cost?
Sources quote about GH₵400 to GH₵2,000, depending on the property. Ask your lawyer for the current fee.
How do I check a real estate agent is licensed?
Search the agent at reac.gov.gh. The Real Estate Agency Council licenses agents, brokers, and developers under Act 1047.
Should I use the seller’s lawyer?
No. Hire your own Ghana Bar Association licensed lawyer for your legal review.
Sources
Data as of 24 October 2026.
