How to Discharge Your Title After Paying Off a Bank Loan

By Team Makao on 22/10/2025

Clearing a bank loan that was secured by your land or property is a big milestone — but it doesn't automatically mean the land is legally free.
Until the bank formally releases its claim, the title remains "charged" in their favor. To regain full ownership, you must go through a legal process known as Discharge of Charge.

Here's a clear and practical step-by-step explanation of how the process works in Kenya:

🏦 1. Confirm Full Loan Repayment

Start by ensuring that your loan is fully settled — including:

The principal amount you borrowed
Any accrued interest
Penalties or other outstanding charges

Once you've cleared everything, request a Loan Clearance Certificate or Final Statement from your bank confirming that your loan balance is zero. This document is crucial — it's the official proof that the debt no longer exists.

📝 2. Request a Discharge of Charge

Next, write formally to your bank requesting the Discharge of Charge.
This is the process through which the bank agrees to release its legal interest in your property — essentially removing the loan claim registered against your title.

The letter should be addressed to the bank's Legal Department or Credit Department, stating that your loan is cleared and requesting the preparation and registration of the discharge documents.

🖋️ 3. Preparation of the Discharge Documents

After receiving your request, the bank's legal team (or its appointed lawyer) prepares key paperwork, including:

A Discharge of Charge document — a legal form stating that the bank has released its interest in your property.
A Letter of Instruction to the Land Registrar — guiding how the discharge should be recorded.

You may be asked to sign some forms to authorize the release, and in some cases, pay a small legal or administrative fee.

🏛️ 4. Submission to the Lands Registry

Once the discharge document is ready, it's submitted to the Lands Registry where your property title is kept.

You'll need to provide:

The Discharge of Charge document (from the bank)
The original Title Deed
A copy of your National ID and KRA PIN
The Loan Clearance Certificate
An Application for Registration of Discharge

Depending on the bank, either their lawyer or you (the borrower) can lodge the documents at the Lands Office.

📚 5. Verification and Registration

At the Lands Registry, officials will verify the discharge to confirm that:

It's properly signed by the lender
The details match the original charge
There are no pending claims or errors

Once verified, the Registrar of Lands registers the Discharge of Charge, officially removing the bank's claim from your title.

🏡 6. Collection of the Title Deed

After registration, the Lands Registry will return your original Title Deed, now marked as "discharged" — meaning there are no loans or encumbrances attached.

At this point, the property is fully under your name, and you are free to sell, transfer, or even use it as security for a new loan if you wish.

📬 7. Keep All Documents Safe

You should now safely store all related documents, including:

The original discharged Title Deed
The Discharge of Charge certificate or receipt from the Lands Office
The Loan Clearance Certificate
Any letters or correspondence with your bank and Lands Registry

These papers prove full ownership and protect you in future property transactions.

🔍 8. Optional: Conduct a Title Search

To confirm that your title is officially clear, conduct a Title Search at the Lands Registry or through the eCitizen portal.

The search results should show:

Your name as the owner, and
No encumbrances or charges listed against the property.

This step gives you peace of mind and provides proof if you ever need to sell or lease the land.

✅ In Summary

Discharging your title after a bank loan is more than a formality — it's the final step in regaining full control of your property.
Many people stop after paying the loan, but without the discharge, the title still legally belongs to both you and the bank.

Taking time to complete the process ensures your property is legally clean, ready for any future transactions, and entirely yours.