What are the mandatory property diagnostics in Ivory Coast?
In the event of sale or rental of a property, technical inspections are mandatory to verify the presence of asbestos, lead (lead poisoning), termites, and other health hazards. A comprehensive technical inspection file must be attached to the contract.
Definition complete
Legal Framework
Mandatory property inspections are governed by Law No. 2019-576 of June 26, 2019 (Building and Housing Code, Articles 497-515, Title 4).
Mandatory Inspections (Article 497)
The technical property inspection covers in particular:
- The presence or absence of asbestos
- Compliance with standards relating to the use of ash
- Compliance with standards relating to lead (lead poisoning)
- Compliance with standards relating to termites
- Compliance with standards relating to harmful insects or animals
Who Conducts the Inspections? (Article 498)
Inspections are conducted by the hygiene services of the Ministry responsible for hygiene or by local authorities, which issue a health certificate.
In Case of Sale or Lease (Articles 513-515)
- A comprehensive technical inspection file must be attached to the contract or preliminary contract
- This file includes: the asbestos file, the ash file, the lead poisoning file, and the termites file
- In the absence of one of the documents at the time of signature, the seller cannot be exempted from the warranty against hidden defects
Technical Files
Each building owner must establish and maintain the corresponding technical files, keep them up to date, and make them available to occupants.
Sources juridiques
Loi n°2019-576 du 26 juin 2019 instituant le Code de la Construction et de l'Habitat, Articles 497-515.
Questions frequentes
Are diagnostics mandatory for a sale?
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Autres termes du glossaire
The ADU (Attestation de Droit d'Usage Coutumier / Customary Right of Use Certificate) is the single, secure document that replaces the former Village Certificate as of January 1, 2025. Established by Decree No. 2021-784 and secured by the SIGFU (Decree No. 2021-862), it requires a triple signature (village chief, CVGFR president, developer) and a unique IDUFCI. The ADU is not a property title: it constitutes a provisional recognition opening the path to the ACD (Arrêté de Concession Définitive / Definitive Concession Decree) — the ACD published in the Land Register IS the Land Title. In practice, the time between ACD signature and its publication in the Land Register is often longer than the official 180 calendar days (BÂTIR N°004, 2022). Published ACD = published Land Title — same legal deed, two stages.
The Rural Land Agency (AFOR — Agence Foncière Rurale) is the public institution responsible for implementing rural land policy in Ivory Coast. It oversees land certification, registration of rural properties, and coordination of boundary demarcation and surveying operations.
Legal document drafted by a notary that formalizes the transfer of land ownership between a seller and a buyer. The notarized deed of sale is mandatory and confers authenticity on the transaction.
Legal entity that must be established with a minimum share capital of 2 million FCFA held by Ivorian nationals, holding an approval from the Minister responsible for Housing and a financial guarantee from a bank or insurance company.
The alienation price is the sum that the buyer must pay to the State to obtain the Definitive Concession (ACD — Arrêté de Concession Définitive) of urban land. Calculated by an ad hoc commission, it corresponds to the market value of the parcel according to the official schedule.