Listing & Transaction Safety Guidelines
Essential safety protocols, legal due diligence standards, and anti-fraud guidelines for Nigerian property, land, and vehicle transactions.
The Cardinal Safety Rule
NEVER send money, pay "booking deposits", or pay "inspection fees" to any vendor, agent, or individual before physically inspecting the property or vehicle and legally verifying ownership documents. PropVendor does not hold custody of funds for property or vehicle transactions.
🏡 Property & Land Due Diligence Protocols
Daylight Physical Inspection
Always inspect land or buildings in person during daylight. Verify boundary beacon coordinates, topography, road access, drainage, and neighborhood developments. Never rely solely on photos or video walkthroughs.
State Lands Bureau Title Search
Never accept photocopied documents. Conduct an official title search at the relevant State Lands Bureau (e.g. Lands Bureau Alausa for Lagos State; AGIS for Abuja FCT). Confirm valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Governor's Consent, Gazette, or Excision status.
Engage Certified Professionals
Hire a SURCON-registered surveyor to chart coordinate beacons against government committed acquisition records, and a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) registered legal practitioner to examine deeds and prepare contracts.
Family / Community Land Checks
For uncommitted family or community land ('Omonile'), ensure the principal family head and accredited representatives execute the Deed of Assignment, and verify there is no pending court litigation or competing claimants.
🚗 Vehicle & Automotive Buying Protocols
Meet in a Public Daylight Location
Arrange vehicle inspections in open, secure public locations such as an established automotive repair center or a busy commercial mall parking lot. Never inspect vehicles in remote or unlit areas.
Independent Mechanical Diagnostic
Bring your own trusted mechanic to run an OBD-II diagnostic scan, check engine compression, evaluate transmission responsiveness, and check for hidden flood, frame, or collision damage.
Customs Duty & Registration Verification
For imported (Tokunbo) cars, verify the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) customs document and confirm customs duty payment through the Nigeria Customs Service verification portal. For Nigerian-used vehicles, confirm original vehicle license, proof of ownership certificate, and roadworthiness records with FRSC and State VIO.
Chassis & VIN Cross-Check
Carefully cross-reference the 17-character VIN stamped on the chassis frame, engine bay, door jamb, and lower windshield against all registration papers to ensure no tampering or vehicle cloning.
⚠ High-Risk Red Flags to Avoid
- Unrealistically low prices: If a prime plot in Lekki or an immaculate SUV is priced at a fraction of prevailing market value, it is almost certainly fraudulent.
- Advance "Inspection" or "Fuel" Fees: Legitimate vendors do not charge prospective buyers to inspect available inventory.
- High-pressure urgency tactics: Claims that "three other buyers have their cash ready" to rush you into paying without legal searches.
- Refusal to meet in person or provide title copies for searches: Never proceed if a vendor insists on communicating only via unverified chat channels or refuses physical meetings.