How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Double Land Titles

Double land title cases continue to occur across various regions in Indonesia. This occurs when a single plot of land has multiple certificates issued legitimately or due to administrative errors. Such issues often lead to land disputes and lengthy legal proceedings. Therefore, the public must understand preventive measures to avoid becoming victims of double SHM when purchasing or owning land.

Legal practitioner Adyanisa Septya Yuslandari, S.H., M.Kn explained that before purchasing land, one must ensure the plot is fully registered with the land office and check its ownership history. “It’s not just about seeing ‘a certificate’, but the legality and history must be clear,” Adyanisa said when contacted on Friday, 29 May 2026.

She added that holding an SHM as proof of ownership could still be contested by others if there are legal flaws in its issuance. Adyanisa advised buyers to not merely check for the presence of an SHM before deciding to purchase land or a house. Other aspects to consider include the land’s ownership history, any court disputes, size and location accuracy, and certificate authenticity.

Certificate verification is crucial before transactions, not only at the land office but also through on-site checks. For those unfamiliar with the process, seeking assistance from a PPAT notary office is an alternative. “You can check certificates with the BPN to ensure no disputes, review land history, confirm no duplicate certificates, conduct on-site checks, and use PPAT notary services for due diligence,” Adyanisa explained.

Previously, the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) reminded citizens with land certificates issued before 1997 to promptly verify their data at local land offices. The ATR/BPN noted that many old land certificates lack updated cadastral maps, which are now being digitised.