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Title deed loan process in Kenya (2026)

End-to-end: valuation, Ministry of Lands search, charge registration, disbursement, repayment, discharge.

DW
by Reviewed by Josephine Njeri 7 min read Updated 2 September 2026Verified 02 Sept 2026

A title deed loan is a Kenyan secured loan where a lender takes a charge over your land as security. The land is not physically taken; it is encumbered at the Ministry of Lands registry so you cannot sell or transfer it without the lender's consent. On default the lender can auction the parcel to recover the debt. On full settlement the lender lodges a discharge of charge and the encumbrance is removed.

The process, step by step

  1. Application at the lender. ID, KRA PIN, statements, utility bill, spousal consent (if the land is a matrimonial home), and the original title deed for inspection.
  2. Land valuation. A registered valuer (Institute of Surveyors of Kenya) inspects the parcel and issues a written valuation report with photographs and site coordinates. Typical cost: KES 15,000 to KES 50,000 depending on parcel size and location.
  3. Ministry of Lands search. The lender conducts an official land search to confirm the title is genuine, unencumbered, and matches the deed you presented. Search fees are in the region of KES 500 to KES 1,000.
  4. Land rates and rent clearance. For freehold, current land rates receipts. For leasehold, current land rent clearance. Any arrears usually need to be cleared before the lender proceeds.
  5. Consent to charge. For agricultural land or land within a settlement scheme, consent from the relevant Land Control Board is required before the charge can be registered.
  6. Charge registration. The lender registers a legal charge at the Ministry of Lands. This is the encumbrance that gives the lender enforcement rights on default.
  7. Disbursement. Funds are released to your bank account or M-PESA once the charge is registered. Some lenders bridge with 60 to 70 percent of the loan at signing and the balance on registration confirmation.
  8. Repayment. Monthly instalments over the agreed term (usually 6 to 60 months).
  9. Discharge of charge. On full settlement, the lender lodges a discharge with the Ministry of Lands and returns the original title deed. Discharge takes two to six weeks after the final payment.

Typical fees

  • Valuation: KES 15,000 to KES 50,000
  • Legal fees: 0.5 to 1 percent of loan amount
  • Stamp duty on charge: 0.1 percent of loan amount (usually)
  • Charge registration fee: KES 500 to KES 1,000
  • Arrangement fee: 1 to 3 percent of loan amount