GEOMARTINS & ASSOCIATE

A title re-establishment is the process of restoring a previously surveyed lot or property boundary. It links current property datum with / to the past. The property may link to parent property that is a subdivision. It may be part of a consolidation or boundaries may need re-established when the property limits are amended. To qualify for title re-establishment, the property must already have a registered survey document on public file. Typically a reestablishment survey should be done whenever a detailed property survey is required by local council, or when:  home / building improvements will be made close to a boundary,  fencing or retaining wall improvements will be constructed,  exact boundaries for strata title purposes must be established, and  Buying or selling a home (especially older old properties). Relevant survey information and records may be obtained from the Ministry of Land and Survey, Office of the State or Federal Surveyor Generals and any o...

A well-organized demolition process can make all the difference when building new houses or structures. A safe and carefully planned demolition will ensure there are no hidden costs or unnecessary delays to your project. Here are our top four tips to help make the demolition process easy and efficient. 1. Hire a reputable demolition contractor Hire a professional demolition contractor to streamline the entire process for you. When you’re looking at different companies or businesses, ask them how they coordinate the whole process, including any approvals from local government, disconnecting any services or utilities and disposal of any waste material. Be sure to understand any exclusion in the service, such as approval forms, service disconnection or liaising with council or Government authorities, as you may need to be prepared to take on these duties yourself. 2. Ensure safety procedures are adhered to Ensure the contractor is aware of and compliant...

In many cases, property and boundary surveys are performed to help those who own property in a given area precisely define where their boundaries end and those of another property owner begin. Land surveys are commonly used to handle property disputes and similar issues, allowing for precise measurements and detailed reports that carry legal weight. At Geomartins & Associate, we’re proud to provide a variety of both commercial and residential surveyor services, from basic boundary surveys to construction staking, lot consolidation plats and many other areas. One term that you may hear some use within the world of properties and boundaries is “encroachment” – but you won’t hear it from our surveyors. Here are some basics on what this term means, why surveyors don’t use it, and the legal interplay at work here. What is an Encroachment? For starters, let’s take a moment and briefly define what is meant when the term encroachment is used within the realm of property surveys ...

Land surveying is a complicated business, and for that reason there are quite a few misconceptions about what it is and why people need it. If you are considering whether to have a land survey done on your property (or property you plan to buy), chances are you have fallen prey to one or more of these myths, which have the potential to steer you wrong. To help you out, here is the truth about 7 common surveying myths: MYTH 1: Land surveys aren’t necessary if you can find the survey stakes. If you located the survey stakes from a previous survey, all you know is that there was a previous surveyor who might have determined that this location was on the edge of the property; that doesn’t mean the survey is accurate, or that you’ve actually found your property line. A professional land surveyor can tell you if what you’ve found is really your property line; you may be surprised to learn that in many cases, what you think is a surveying monument may not be one at all. Plus,...

Being told that you need a land survey can be both a frustrating and confusing situation. Often times, most people do not realize that a land survey is important when buying a new home or property of any kind.  Determining boundaries, easements, and encroachments is vital to the overall value of the property. A survey will also help to avoid legal costs down the road, and even provide you with pertinent information regarding your investment. It’s always advised that you request for an existing land survey plan before buying a house, as certain easements and encroachments can actually affect the value of the property. You don’t want to spend more than you should on property, and furthermore, you want to get the most value for the home down the road should you ever decide to sell. ·         How do you decide which land surveyor to hire? After all, the job they’re taking on is of great importance to the value of your property or on...

What is a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O?) A Certificate of Occupancy is an authorization document issued by the State Governor/Government (as the case in Nigeria) to an individual, groups of individuals or an entity conferring the right of occupancy of a particular property. Certificate of Occupancy signifies the legal occupation of an individual on a land. It usually bears the name of the occupier and a term of years that the governor grants such occupation. It is issued and signed by the governor through the appropriate authority in the state which is usually the Bureau of Lands. Who Can Issue A Certificate Of Occupancy? The Land Use Act of 1978 unified the land tenure system in Nigeria and empowers by virtue of Section 9(1) the Governor of every state in Nigeria (the Minister of FCT for Abuja) to issue a Certificate of Occupancy under his hand in evidence of a right of occupancy.   Hence, it is important to state that only the serving/incumbent State Governo...

Whether you intend to purchase new land or you have plans to build on property you already own, there are several reasons why you may need a land survey. But just why is getting one so important? And during which step of the construction process do you actually need one? We’re here to answer your questions and provide you with all of the details you need to know about land surveys. First of all, there are many reasons why getting a land survey may not only be beneficial, but may actually be a requirement for moving forward with your plans. Some of the reasons why you may need one include when you are trying to decide if a new project will encroach on someone else’s property, when you need to determine whether or not a building is in a flood hazard area, and when you are preparing a subdivision layout. Of course, these are just some of the many reasons why a land survey may be needed. But how do you know when to get one? Well, in general it is a good idea to contact a...