Double SHM Case Leads to Surakarta Resident's Eviction

A Surakarta resident named Sri Marwini and her husband Suyadi were forced to vacate their home in Pajang Village, Laweyan, after a court-ordered eviction. The house they had occupied since 2014 was executed by the Surakarta District Court, with police securing the operation. All household items were removed during the eviction. Despite purchasing the property legally with savings and holding a valid Certificate of Freehold Ownership (SHM) issued by the National Land Agency (BPN), their title was later revoked by the court after a Wonogori resident claimed ownership of the same land. Legal expert Adyanisa Septya Yuslandari, S.H., M.Kn, explained that double SHM cases often arise from administrative errors, where two parties hold official titles for the same plot. ‘Such cases typically stem from overlapping certificates or administrative defects,’ she stated on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. A double SHM occurs when multiple freehold certificates are issued for the same land, whether in whole or in part. To ensure safe land transactions, buyers must verify the property is not in dispute. This can be done by checking with the local BPN office, consulting a PPAT notary, and conducting field inspections. ‘Risks can be checked by verifying the certificate at BPN, reviewing land history, confirming no duplicate titles, and using PPAT notary services for due diligence,’ Adyanisa said. ‘Even an SHM can be problematic if initial processes were flawed. It’s not just about having a certificate, but ensuring its legitimacy and clean history,’ she added. The dispute began when the couple bought the 479-square-metre property in 2013 from Subarno, the previous owner.