How to Check the Authenticity of a Property Title

Property Updates

Property value normally increases as time goes by considering developments and the location of this property and you could look into a couple of thousands to millions in your return of investment. With the increasing demand of property, it would be easy to buy a property that could be a scam or a fraud. To prevent these unfortunate misfortunes, here are places in which you can verify the authenticity of you property titles.

1. Registry of Deeds.
Registry of Deeds can be found in every city or municipality that you live in. It is the public repository of ‘Titles’ for titled and untitled real properties anywhere in your area. If you want to know the authenticity of the title of the property that you bought, it is important that you personally visit the Registry of Deeds of the location of you property to do the initial verification.

2. Municipality or City Assessor’s and Treasurer’s Offices
The Assessor’s office is where you can find the accurate technical description of the property, requisition for vicinity map of the subject property for your BIR clearance or DAR clearance.

The Treasurer’s office holds the record for real property tax payments, arrears and delinquencies.

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These two offices can only issue clearances, certified copies and maps of the places that they hold jurisdiction to.

How to Transfer Real Estate Titles in the Philippines (From A Sa

3. Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)
If you are planning to buy a condominium or subdivision developments, the HLURB is where you can seek consultation and submit complaints. Any subdivision or condominium project can’t start selling, advertising or offering a project without any permits and approvals secured from the HLURB.

HLURB is responsible for the following matters concerning subdivision and condominium developments:

  • Registration and licenses of subdivision and condominium projects, farm lots, memorial parks an columbaria, including the issuance of licenses to sell by developers.
  • Observing and checking the progress and the quality of development and construction of registered or licensed projects.
  • Updating and revising rules, guidelines and standards on housing and real estate
    Evaluating and approving (or disapproving) Master Deed and Declaration of Restrictions of condominium projects and any amendment or revocation.
  • Registering and supervising Home Owner’s Association activities.
  • Requiring the mandatory registration of real estate brokers, dealers and salesmen engaged un selling developments under HLURB jurisdiction.
  • Serving as the adjudication body for the following: disputes between developers and buyers, intra (inter) homeowner’s association conflicts, appeals from decisions of local zoning bodies.
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4. Land Registration Authority (LRA)
LRA is a government agency responsible for issuing decrees of registration, certificates of title and register documents, awards and patents. LRA is the repository of all titles in the Philippines and is a good place to go back and trace the property’s history.

5. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), National Housing Authority (NHA)
These government agencies are responsible for issuing special grants or awards to qualified beneficiaries.
DENR approves (or disapproves the application of public land patents (e.g. homestead, free patent, sales patent)
BDCA transforms former military bases into a place where civilians can use.
NHA spearheads housing programs primarily for the lowest 30% of the urban population

Reminder:

If your title shows that it is an ‘Original Certificate’ then the appropriate place to verify the authenticity of this document is the Registry of Deeds and the LRA. Furthermore, if it says that it is acquired through free patent, then the grant ownership from DENR.

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If the location of your property is a former military base, you can trace the origin of this title with the BCDA.

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