For Safety's Sake, Don't Forget to Convert AJB to SHM

KOMPAS.com - Many people still believe that a Deed of Sale and Purchase (AJB) is sufficient as legal proof of ownership of land or a house. However, this assumption is actually not entirely accurate. The AJB is indeed an important document in the property sale and purchase process. However, this document is not yet the strongest legal proof of ownership rights over the land. Legal practitioner Adyanisa Septya Yuslandari, S.H., M.Kn, explains that to make ownership status safer and have legal certainty, land owners need to immediately process the conversion of the AJB into a Certificate of Ownership (SHM) or carry out a name transfer of the certificate to the buyer’s name. The AJB is an authentic deed made by the Land Deed Official (PPAT) as proof that a sale and purchase transaction has occurred between the seller and the buyer. She explains that the AJB only functions as proof of the transfer of rights that is being processed. This document does not yet indicate that the rights to the land are officially recorded in the name of the buyer at the land office. The proof of ownership recognised by law remains in the form of a land certificate that has been registered with the National Land Agency (BPN). “The AJB is only proof that a sale and purchase transaction has occurred, not proof of ownership rights. The strong proof of ownership is the land certificate registered with the BPN,” Adyanisa stated. If left too long, the land ownership status can cause administrative problems to legal disputes. As long as the certificate is not yet in the buyer’s name, the potential for claims from other parties remains open. This can cause problems if the seller or their heirs raise objections later on. “The ownership status is not yet officially recorded with the State, vulnerable to disputes (risk of other parties claiming the land),” she said.