Land Documents and Survey Checks in Zanzibar

Start with the documents available for the plot

Ask the seller or landholder for the relevant land and survey documents available for the property. The documents help establish what information exists and what further professional checks may be appropriate.

Do not assume that a Google Maps pin, fence, wall or verbal description by itself establishes the legal extent or ownership of a plot.

When a boundary survey may help

If you need the relevant plot positions checked on the ground using the available survey information, see our boundary verification survey. The appropriate scope depends on the records available and the purpose of the assignment.

Cadastral and land parcel survey requirements

Where the matter relates to parcel survey information, subdivision, records or another cadastral requirement, see cadastral and land parcel survey support. Any official submission or statutory requirement should be confirmed for that specific case before the scope is agreed.

If you intend to develop the land

Boundary information alone does not provide all the measured site information an architect or engineer may need. A topographical survey can capture relevant site levels, contours and physical features for design. Once construction drawings are ready, construction setting out may be required.

Useful information to send us

For an initial survey review, send the Google Maps pin, approximate plot size, clear copies or photos of the land/survey documents available, and tell us whether you are buying, selling, checking a boundary, subdividing, designing or preparing to build.