Factors to Consider Before Buying a Lot with Tax Declaration Only

It may be risky to buy a property without a proper title in the Philippines. For instance, the owner may only provide a copy of the Tax Declaration to the buyer. In that case, there are simple ways to verify that the lot for sale is indeed owned by the person selling it to you. Read until the end to learn how to ensure you’re investing in a problem-free property and how to process a new title for it.

6 Ways to Background Check a Property

So you want to buy a property but it only has a tax declaration as proof of the owner. Don’t worry, here are other ways to see if it’s a good deal:

The real property tax is updated. Properties in the Philippines with unsettled taxes for a long time may be put in an auction sale by the government. To check this, ask for tax clearance from the owner or the updated OR of the tax paid.

Verify if it’s alienable and disposable. You can’t put any properties under your name that fall under this category such as protected lands, watersheds, and forestry. To know the classification of the property you want to buy, go to the DENR office and request for Alienable and Disposable Certificate.

Number of years the seller has lived in the property. The owner should at least be a resident for 10 years and make sure they are not just a tenant.

Confirm whether the seller is the legit owner of the property. Visit the site without the owner and ask around for people who can attest to the person’s claim.

Check the original tax declaration. Go to the Assessor’s office and ask for a certified true copy of the tax declaration to ensure the details match the one presented by the seller.

Make sure the patent is for residential if you’re planning to build a house, and not for agriculture. It would be a future problem if you have to convert its land use.

Certificates Required to Process Land Title Using Tax Declaration

If you want to get a new title for the property you bought under tax declaration, here are the documents you need to secure:

RTC/MCTC Certificate. You can acquire this at the Regional Trial Court office to verify that the property has no pending case.

Status of Land Certificate. This document is available at the Land Registration Authority office in Quezon City. It shows whether other people are claiming the property.

Alienable and Disposable Certificate. Obtain this from DENR to ensure the property is not a protected land and no one has a claim on it.

Zoning Certificate. Ask for a copy from your LGU to ensure the property is zone residential.

Requirements for Property Title Processing with Tax Declaration

To get a title for a property with tax declaration, you must complete the RFPA Form, Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons, and Request for Issuance of Survey Authority Form. You can process all these at DENR CENRO to get the approved survey plan with technical description. You will also need to secure Claim of Ownership or Tax Declaration, MCTC/RTC Certificate, Status of Land Certificate, Alienable and Disposable Certificate, LGU Certificate, and other minor requirements such as 2x2 photos, 50 pesos filing fee, actual pictures of the property, and long white folder with fastener.