Zimbabwe says unvalidated title deeds remain valid as July 2027 deadline looms
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Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told National Real Estate Day that owners will not lose property under the 24-month title deed validation programme, though unvalidated paper deeds will not be accepted for sales, transfers or bank loans after the deadline.
Zimbabwe's government has assured property owners that they will not lose their homes or land for failing to validate their title deeds within the 24-month window provided under the Title Deeds Validation and Securitisation Programme.
Speaking as guest of honour at the National Real Estate Day commemorations, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the programme was intended to strengthen the security of ownership documents, not to dispossess citizens. The scheme is being implemented under Statutory Instrument 76 of 2025 and carries a July 2027 deadline.
Mr Ziyambi said paper title deeds that have not been validated will remain legally valid after the deadline, but will no longer be accepted for property transactions, including sales and transfers, until they are validated. Banks will also require owners to validate deeds before accepting them as security for loans.
The securitisation process replaces vulnerable paper records with digitally backed title deeds that incorporate security features designed to protect ownership records and reduce the risk of fraud and manipulation.
The government has capped the applicable fee at US$215, inclusive of VAT, to make the exercise more affordable. Mr Ziyambi said vulnerable citizens who cannot afford a private conveyancer will be assisted through the Legal Aid Directorate.
"Replacing vulnerable paper records with tamper-proof, digitally-backed, securitised deeds restores confidence in property ownership, provides families with a lasting sense of security, and enables individuals to unlock the value of their assets," he said.