The Addis Ababa City Land Development and Administration Bureau, in conjunction with the Land Holding Registration and Information Agency, has issued a formal call for property owners to finalize their legal title transfers.
The authorities have emphasized that fulfilling these legal requirements is essential for securing property rights and ensuring the efficiency of the city’s land management system.
In a statement released today, the authorities noted that many residents who purchased residential or commercial properties from real estate developers or private individuals have failed to finalize their legal title deeds.
Despite possessing valid purchase agreements these property owners have neglected to complete the official transfer of ownership an oversight the Bureau states is fundamentally unacceptable and poses a risk to the long-term legal security of their assets.
The Bureau further clarified that the completion of a formal title transfer is a mandatory prerequisite for property owners seeking to obtain individual land maps (karta). By finalizing these transfers, owners not only legalize their holdings but also proactively mitigate the risk of future legal disputes.
Property owners who have yet to complete this process are urged to visit their respective sub-city Land Development and Administration offices or the Land Holding Registration and Information branch offices in person.
The Bureau has set a firm deadline of June 25, 2018 (E.C.), to finalize these procedures and warned that failure to comply by this date may result in administrative and legal complications.
In a separate directive, the City Administration has also issued an urgent call for individuals who have acquired land through lease, allocation, or auction to settle their outstanding lease payments.
Citing Land Lease Regulation No. 162/2016, the Bureau warned that leaseholders are obligated to make annual payments.
According to the regulation, if a leaseholder accumulates three years of arrears, the Bureau reserves the legal right to seize the property and sell it to cover the outstanding debt beginning in the fourth year.
In accordance with a recent decision by the City Cabinet, all affected leaseholders are required to settle their annual and accumulated lease arrears by the June 25, 2018 (E.C.) deadline.
The Bureau has advised that settling these payments in person before the end of the month is critical to avoiding further enforcement measures.
The Addis Ababa City Land Development and Administration Bureau stated that these initiatives are part of a broader effort to modernize land registration, ensure transparency, and curb illegal land use within the capital.
