Buying property in The Gambia

What should I check before paying a deposit?

Start with the seller, the property and the documents supporting the sale. A listing, introduction or payment receipt does not answer every question about ownership. Solie Law Chambers can review the proposed purchase and explain the enquiries needed before you agree binding terms.

Ask who owns the interest being sold, whether anyone else must agree to the sale, and how the plot or building is identified. If an agent, relative, company officer or estate representative is negotiating, their authority also needs to be examined.

Our deposit and reservation checklist explains the questions to settle before an early payment.

Which documents should a buyer request?

• The available deed, lease and previous transfer records.
• A plan identifying the property, boundaries and access.
• The draft agreement, price, payment schedule and any reservation terms.
• Details of occupiers, tenancy agreements, borrowing or disputes affecting the property.
• Documents explaining the seller’s authority, where a representative, company or estate is involved.

Missing or inconsistent records should be identified early. The review may require further searches, official records or enquiries. For a fuller preparation list, see property due diligence.

Does buying a house differ from buying empty land?

A house or compound raises questions about occupation, physical condition, boundaries, shared facilities and what will be handed over. Read our guide to buying a home or family compound.

For empty land, investigate access and the proposed use alongside the seller’s documents. A plot advertised for building still needs the appropriate planning and technical enquiries. See building plot checks. Commercial premises and larger projects may also require review of leases, operating requirements and development agreements.

Can I buy from abroad, and whose name should be used?

Explain your nationality, where you live, who is funding the purchase and who will hold the property. The available ownership arrangements and formalities depend on the transaction. Do not put property into another person’s name simply because it appears convenient.

Our foreign ownership guidance covers the initial questions. Where someone will act on your behalf, discuss the scope and signing requirements of a power of attorney before it is used.

What happens between agreeing a price and completing?

The sale terms should connect payments to the documents, conditions and actions required from each party. Agree what happens if a title issue remains unresolved, a consent is delayed or the seller cannot deliver the agreed possession.

The work may include contract review, signing arrangements and the applicable consent, stamping and registration steps. Our conveyancing guide explains the stages and the records to retain. A survey, valuation and building inspection answer separate questions and should be considered where appropriate.

How much will the legal work cost, and how long will it take?

Ask for an estimate based on the actual property, documents and scope. Identify legal fees separately from taxes, official charges, surveys and other expenses. Missing records, enquiries, approvals and the other parties can affect the timetable.

Tell us about any proposed travel or payment date at the outset. Read our fees and instructions guidance. If you have already paid or discovered a competing claim, explain this immediately so the review addresses your current position.