*WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CAN NOT FIND THE LAND DOCUMENT FOR MY HOUSE?* If a house document is lost, the owner can take the following legal steps to protect their ownership: *1. Swear an Affidavit* An Affidavit of Loss should be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths, stating details of the lost document and affirming ownership of the property. The Affidavit should also state that the owner has not sold the property, mortgaged it, or knowingly done anything to the original documents that led to its loss. *2. Make a Police Report* The owner should report the loss to a police station (preferably the nearest police station to his/her current residence or to the property) and obtain a Police Extract confirming the circumstances of the loss. *3. Public Notice in a Newspaper* The owner should publish a notice in a national newspaper, informing the public of the lost document. *4. Application for Certified True Copy (CTC)* The process depends on the type of title document: - *Federal Government Allocation, Federal Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Minister's Consent*: Apply to the Federal Ministry of Housing or the Federal Land Registry covering the property for a Certified True Copy. - *State CofO, Governor's Consent, Registered Conveyance or Sublease covering state lands*: If the document was issued by a State Government or registered at the State Lands Registry, the owner can apply for a CTC of the registered document at the Land Registry of the State where the property is located. *5. Regularization & Additional Legal Steps* - If the lost document is a registered title, a MEMORANDUM OF LOSS will be registered at the Lands Registry against the registered title document. The Registrar of Titles may require additional verification before registering the Memorandum of Loss. - If the document was not registered, the owner may consider initiating a process to perfect the title to avoid future disputes. This may involve applying for a Certificate of Occupancy on other grounds. One of such grounds is proof that the owner has been in possession of the property for over 10 years. Payment of Land Use Charge and utility bills in the owner's name for that period of time are some evidence that may be used. *6. Court Order (if necessary)* If there is any dispute or fraudulent claim over the property, the owner may need to file a court action to get a court order to affirm their ownership. *In Conclusion,* taking immediate action after losing a property document is crucial to protecting ownership and preventing disputes. Following the necessary legal steps will help ensure the property interest of the owner remains protected. _Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Always consult a qualified real estate lawyer for guidance on property transactions._ If you like this snippet or learned something new, please share. Also, click "View Channel" to see our current property listings on WhatsApp. Thank you. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5g0rOFSAsv1aPA3A2c For inquiries and more information, please contact: Ola Charles Obagade Lead Real Estate Consultant certified by Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Lasrera) RGH Homes Marketing Hub