TOV Homes commits to tackling fraud, poor documentation in Nigerian real estate

TOV Homes, real estate arm of TOV Group Limited, has said it has committed to addressing the lingering problems of land fraud, poor documentation and insecurity in Nigeria’s real estate sector through proper title verification, public sensitisation and flexible housing initiatives.

According to the company, poor land documentation and fraudulent transactions are major issues discouraging many Nigerians from investing in property.

Speaking to journalists following the launch of the company’s newest estate project, Mbamalu Valentine, group managing director of TOV Homes, said the company was focusing more on the issue of land title documents because ownership begins with proper documentation.

Valentine said the reason for this move is that, from his experiences as a lawyer and an entrepreneur, he has handled several cases involving land disputes and multiple ownership claims, which often leave unsuspecting buyers stranded after making huge financial commitments.

He noted that many Nigerians fail to understand that the foundation of any property investment lies in the legitimacy of its title documents, adding that any mistake made at that stage could lead to years of litigation and financial losses.

“Without having a proper land title document and understanding what it implies to any buyer, we will continue to have problems in the real estate sector. Once you get the title wrong, you have already gotten everything wrong,” he added.

To address the problem, Valentine said TOV Homes has embarked on public enlightenment programmes aimed at educating Nigerians on the importance of engaging legal professionals before purchasing landed properties.

According to him, the company organises quarterly training and sensitisation programmes where members of the public are educated on documentation processes, title verification and the dangers of buying land without proper legal guidance.

“A lot of people think they can just wake up and buy property without proper verification. But you need a lawyer in everything you do. Lawyers guide you and help you verify the authenticity of documents before payment is made,” he said.

He explained that legal fees attached to property verification are insignificant when compared to the financial and emotional losses that often arise from fraudulent land transactions.

Commenting further, he said TOV Homes has already resolved all related issues concerning the newly launched estate, assuring prospective buyers that they would not encounter disputes involving land agents or traditional landowners

On the company’s expansion drive, Valentine disclosed that TOV Homes currently has properties in Luna City and Plethora City, while “Plus Lagos” represents its third estate development project.

He described the estate as strategically located within the fast-developing Abijo axis of Lagos, adding that the company deliberately introduced affordable pricing and flexible payment options to accommodate middle-income earners.

Valentine further explained that the company created payment plans to make property ownership easier for individuals who may not have the financial capacity to make outright payments.

“We understand the challenges people are facing economically, so we decided to spread the payment over a period of one year. Once a buyer pays an initial deposit of N10 million, the balance can be spread according to agreed terms and conditions,” he said.