What is a Completion Statement in Kenya Conveyancing?
A completion statement is a document prepared by the conveyancing advocate at the end of a property transaction that shows a precise accounting of all funds received and paid out. It confirms that the transaction has completed and shows where every shilling went.
What a Completion Statement Contains
A typical Kenya conveyancing completion statement shows:
Funds received: Deposit paid by the buyer (amount and date). Balance of purchase price paid by the buyer (amount and date). Total funds received.
Funds paid out: Purchase price to the seller (after deducting outstanding obligations). Stamp duty to KRA. Land rates to county government. Land rent to KRA (if leasehold). Discharge fees for existing charges. Advocate's professional fees. Disbursements (search fees, registration fees, miscellaneous costs). Total funds paid out.
Balance: Any remaining funds and where they were held or returned.
Why the Completion Statement Matters
For the buyer: Confirms that the purchase price was correctly applied and not misused. If the advocate's completion statement does not account for all funds you paid, there is a discrepancy to investigate.
For accounts and tax purposes: The completion statement is a record of the transaction's financial history. Keep it for CGT calculation purposes when you eventually sell.
For professional accountability: The completion statement demonstrates that the advocate handled the transaction correctly. An advocate who cannot produce a completion statement, or whose statement does not balance, has a serious professional problem.
How to Read the Completion Statement
Check the purchase price: Does the total received match what you agreed to pay?
Check stamp duty: Was it correctly calculated (4% urban or 2% agricultural) and paid to KRA?
Check professional fees: Do the fees match the quote you received?
Check for the discharge: If there was an existing charge to be discharged, is the discharge payment shown?
Check rates and rent clearances: Do the payments match the clearance certificates received?
Confirm the net to seller: After all deductions, is the net amount received by the seller what was agreed (or what the sale agreement requires)?
When to Request the Completion Statement
Your advocate should provide the completion statement at completion — or within a few days of completion. If you have not received one within 2 weeks of completion, request it formally.
This article is for general information only. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Kenya advocate for any questions about a specific completion statement.
Buying, lending, or building on Kenyan land? Know exactly what you're dealing with — get a full intelligence report →
Verify a parcel →Related Articles
How to Negotiate Completion Dates in a Kenya Property Sale
Completion dates in Kenya property contracts are legally significant. Missing them can constitute breach of contract. Here is how to negotiate realistic dates, what happens when they are missed, and how to protect yourself.
What is a Completion Notice in Kenya Conveyancing and What Triggers It?
A completion notice in Kenya conveyancing fixes the date by which a land transaction must conclude. Understand who serves it, what it triggers, and what happens if the other party refuses.
How to Budget for a Kenya Property Purchase: Every Cost You Need to Account For
Most Kenya buyers focus on the asking price and forget the 15-20% of additional costs. Here is a complete cost breakdown for every category of Kenya property purchase so you can budget accurately before making an offer.