When buying land in Thailand, it’s essential to understand the various land title deeds to know what is being offered. A significant portion of the land is not properly titled or accurately surveyed, as full surveying and titling procedures are still under development.
Foreign buyers should focus on land with Chanote, Nor Sor 3, or Nor Sor 3 Gor titles. These titles allow for sale, leasing, and use as collateral and are necessary for obtaining building permits. It’s crucial to have a lawyer review all paperwork before making any commitments.
Key Types of Title Deeds:
- Chanote (Nor Sor 4 Jor): The most secure and preferred title that provides full ownership rights. The land boundaries are accurately surveyed using GPS, making this title highly reliable but often hard to find.
- Nor Sor 3: This title certifies land usage but is not full ownership. Boundaries are less precise, which can cause issues with ownership transfers. Changes in ownership must be publicly announced 30 days before registration.
- Nor Sor 3 Gor: Similar to Nor Sor 3 but with more precise mapping through aerial surveys. However, it’s still less accurate than a Chanote title.
- Sor Kor 1: A notification of land possession, which can later be upgraded to Nor Sor 3 or Nor Sor 3 Gor.
Condominium Title:
For condominiums, a specific title includes ownership rights to a part of the building and common areas. The title will state the private apartment’s size and the owner’s share of common land and areas.
Non-condominium buildings must have sales or long leases registered with the local land office, and foreigners may own buildings separately from the land with the proper documentation.