Advocate (Legal and Conveyancing) at Kenya Homes Properties Ltd

Job Purpose:

• The Advocate is responsible for providing legal counsel and support to the company on all real estate transactions, ensuring compliance with Kenyan property laws, minimizing legal risks, protecting the company\'s interests, and facilitating the smooth execution of property acquisition, sale, transfer, leasing, and development processes.
• The role involves overseeing conveyancing matters, drafting and reviewing legal documents, conducting due diligence, managing legal disputes, liaising with regulatory authorities, and ensuring that all company operations comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Core Roles and Responsibilities

Administration and Documentation

• Act as liaison between the company and external advocates.
• Follow up on preparation and execution of sale agreements and transfer documents.
• Track stamp duty assessment and payment processes.
• Monitor registration progress at the Ministry of Lands.
• Maintain a status tracker for all legal files.

Title Deed Transfer Process

• Prepare and coordinate transfer documentation with the admin department.
• Submit documents for valuation and stamp duty assessment.
• Follow up on stamp duty payments and registration.
• Track transfer until issuance of new title deed.
• Verify accuracy of issued titles and ensure clients receive copies.

Due Diligence in Property Acquisition

•  Verify property ownership and seller legitimacy.
• Confirm land use, zoning, and encumbrances.
• Check survey plans and subdivision approvals and beaconing.

Land Searches & Documentation

• Conduct official land searches at the registry.
• Retrieve and maintain search certificates.
• Ensure search results are current and properly filed.

Green Card Management

• Apply for and retrieve green cards.
• Verify ownership history and encumbrances.
• Ensure consistency with title deeds.
• Ensure filing of green cards at the registry.

Post-Subdivision Compliance

• Ensure individual titles are processed after subdivision.
• Confirm creation of green cards for each parcel.
• Ensure proper filing and indexing of records.
• Flag missing or unregistered parcels.

Land Rates & Ardhisasa Process

• Facilitate payment and clearance of land rates for the mother title before subdivision.
• Obtain land rates clearance certificates.
• Process transactions through the Ardhisasa platform.
• Upload and track all applications on the system.

Land Control Board Coordination

• Prepare applications for Land Control Board consent.
• Ensure consent letters are obtained.
• Attend normal/internal board meetings and provide updates where required

Mortgage & Bank Financing Coordination

• Handle clients using bank/mortgage financing.
• Liaise with banks and advocates.
• Ensure all required documents are submitted.
• Track loan approval and disbursement.
• Ensure smooth completion of financed transactions.

Client Documentation & Correspondence

• Prepare and dispatch documents to clients.
• Ensure clients receive all required documents.
• Handle correspondence related to transactions.

Beacon Confirmation

• Coordinate confirmation of beacons with surveyors and ensure confirmations are issued.

Filing & Record Management

• Maintain proper filing of all legal documents and processes.
• Ensure both physical and digital records are updated.

Compliance & Regulatory Adherence

• Ensure compliance with Kenyan land laws and regulations.
• Verify all documents meet legal requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of records.
• Prepare correspondence to advocates and clients

Reporting & Tracking

• Maintain trackers for transfers, searches, and documents.
• Provide regular reports on transaction status and delays.
• And any other duties assigned.

Education Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelors Degree in a related field

Experience

•  At least 2 years paid work experience, preferably in Real Estate or Related field.

Skills and Competencies

• Good English communication, both written and verbal.
• Strong organizational and time management, i.e., ability to plan tasks and follow up clients and external stakeholders promptly
• Strict adherence to work ethics and confidentiality
• Deep understanding of Kenyan Land Laws and Legal Procedures