Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Land investors told to beware of fraudsters in Svay Rieng

Land investors told to beware of fraudsters in Svay Rieng

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Land divided into plots for sale in Svay Rieng province. Facebook

Land investors told to beware of fraudsters in Svay Rieng

The Svay Rieng Provincial Administration has issued a statement warning people to be cautious when buying land in the province because there were some individuals and companies selling plots of land without a proper licence.

The provincial hall warned that any purchases made from them may not be considered as valid in the future. It advised anyone purchasing land there to get as much detailed information as possible before making any deals.

The announcement dated February 8 stated that the volume of real estate transactions in the province had shown remarkable growth in recent years and some of the companies or traders involved did not have the necessary licences or land development permits from the government.

It reminded people that before deciding to buy a plot of land at any location, they should ask to examine the documentation regarding the land in question and to bring it to the authorities to confirm its validity if necessary.

Accurate and clear information can be obtained from authorities such as the district administration where the land is located or the provincial Department of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

The letter advised prospective buyers to carefully examine and understand business-related documents. These include land development permits; business or development licences; contracts of any sort; and documents that identify the location and boundaries and the owner of the real estate’s identification.

Deputy provincial governor Hem Piseth told The Post on February 10 that so far there had been no cases of fraud reported to the authorities and that the announcement was a precaution to prevent people from being cheated in the future because land speculation in the province had increased remarkably recently.

According to Piseth, sometimes these developments do not seem to be in accordance with the law because there is no basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity or water connections, while the company selling the land just leaves clients behind when the sale is over.

Piseth added that under the recently enacted laws, the company or trader must develop 10 or 30 per cent of the land, including basic infrastructure like utility systems, before selling plots.

“We just wanted to protect our people. They should ask about the laws and learn more information. We want to avoid anyone blaming authorities or the provincial administration. We want everyone to do business fairly on both sides,” he said.

Heng Chivoan, the owner of a land plot in Svay Rieng town, supported the provincial administration’s message. However, he said people won’t buy the land once they understand that the land is being sold without permission under the law.

Chivoan said that selling land plots in Svay Rieng province still has many challenges because there were more expenditures than in other provinces.

He said that in some cases there are electricity poles but no power lines to connect to unless relevant parties negotiate with the utility company for a connection. The same is true of the water supply system, he said.

“Authorities don’t seem to want to work with the developers even after we put in requests to the provincial administration. We don’t hear much back from them,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm