More views sought on title deeds plan for highrise units

Apartments in Mlolongo, Machakos County. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By JAMES KARIUKI

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Summary

• Kisumu hosted the first public forum on April 24 while the committee was in Eldoret on April 26. It will head to Mombasa on May 3.
• The planned amendment to Sectional Properties Act allows creation of sectional titles for developed housing units in highrise buildings, in place of land title deeds for the whole developed multi-storied properties.
• The issuance of title documents on individual houses is expected to help increase interest in highrise buildings.

The public hearings on the proposed regulatory amendments for issuance of title documents for individual houses on multi-storeyed buildings will continue this week after kicking off earlier last week.

Kisumu hosted the first public forum on April 24 while the committee was in Eldoret on April 26. It will head to Mombasa on May 3.

Lands Chief Administrative Secretary Gideon Mung’aro launched the Forum on Amendments to Sectional Properties Act with discussions with estate agents, surveyors, valuers, lawyers, land registrars and physical planners.

“Activation of this law will play a big role in realisation of the Housing pillar in Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big 4 agenda where it will spur housing developments targeting low and middle income families.

Mr Mung’aro said issuance of title documents on individual houses would help increase interest in highrise buildings.

READ: Tatu City’s low cost housing plan targets retirement schemes

The planned amendment allows creation of sectional titles for developed housing units in highrise buildings, in place of land title deeds for the whole developed multi-storied properties.

The Sectional Properties Amendments Committee chaired by Land Ministry Chief Legal Counsel Terry Gathagu is currently collecting views that will be incorporated in the planned Bill to be tabled before parliament for debate and adoption.

If effected, it will empower individual housing units owner to utilise their properties as they wish without jeopardising interests of other units’ owners. This will allow sale of property and use of sectional property as a collateral for a loan.

The planned amendment has received support from property developers as it allows property ownership rights transfer from original land owner and hand over of the same to buyers, ending disputes where property owners create additions on “sold-out” properties.