How to Find Real Estate and Land Register Information in Lebanon

Land register information in Lebanon is available upon request for a property certificate (known as title register on the official land registry website). The request can only be made by any individual showing up in person at the competent land registry office. The cost of a property certificate is 5$

On the other hand, the same details may be acquired online through the land registry website but in an unofficial document that is available to everyone online (www.lrc.gov.lb) and requires the same information as a property certificate.

The simplified unofficial land register information form has a cost of 4$.

Property certificates are publicly accessible and anyone can submit a request without the need of proving any legal interest. However, it should be noted that a property certificate cannot be issued if there is any ongoing lien or registration in process until such lien or process are finalized.

In order to submit the request for a property certificate, it is necessary to indicate:

• The Muhafaza (governate), caza (district), and cadastral zone where the lot is located.
• The parcel number, and if applicable, the unit and block number.

The property certificate contains a description of the property including its structure, total area and the cadastral area it belongs to. If the lot in question has not been finally cadastered, then the area won’t show up on the certificate.

It also indicates:

• The owners of the property, the source of their right, and the number of shares they hold in the lot, noting that real estate ownership is distributed into 2400 shares. The ownership may also be divided between two different holders into usage right and bare property.
• Mortgages, pledges, provisional and executive seizures, as well as other rights, encumbrances, charges, and judicial procedures related to the lot in question.

There are various documents related to property that are issued by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre in Lebanon:

• Title deed: it is the most important document as it serves as the sole proof of ownership of any immovable property. It includes a description of the lot (characteristics, surface area, location, etc.) and details of the owner (name, source of right, number of shares, etc.). The owner can issue a replacement if the property deed is lost, and this process requires around 50 days.
• Ownership affidavit: used to inquire about the ownership of individuals and legal entities across Lebanon. A request for negation of ownership is submitted before the land registry office, including the full name of the person in question and after paying the required fees. A PoA is needed to submit it on behalf of a foreign person or entity.
• Statement of area: it is a document prepared by an affiliated sworn surveyor from the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre. Its main purpose is to inform about the lot’s approximate surface area.
• Cadastral maps: They provide detailed information about the partitioning of buildings and floors in built properties, and land borders with the adjacent lot numbers in non-built lots. They typically include property boundaries, lot numbers, roads, elevation lines, and cadastral zones. These maps are essential for urban planning, legal documentation, and real estate transactions.
• Property certificate: it shows a description of the lot in question, as well as all the encumbrances, rights and judicial proceedings regarding that lot. It contains up to date information on the lot.

The use and validity of each document depends on the specific context and situation. It is advisable to consult legal advisors and official authorities such as a notary public, or the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, to determine which documents are required for a particular property transaction or situation.

As a general rule, all judicial actions related to a property are required to be recorded in the lot’s property certificate. The registered details include the claimant’s name, the court handling the case, and the latter’s date and number. However, if additional details are required, then a lawyer should be consulted and the competent court should be visited. Nevertheless, judicial procedures may be accessed only by the parties involved, their legal representatives, or by whoever is able to demonstrate a sufficient legal interest in the procedure.