Updated October 13, 2026 · Published by WKA Advocates
A development joint venture should explain each party's contribution, authority and share of the project. Land, capital, expertise and future units have different risks. Review the title, project structure, funding and decision-making before treating a term sheet as a complete agreement.
What Matters in Property development joint ventures
Plan for delays, cost increases, financing failure and an exit or dispute. The agreement should address approvals, reporting, distributions and what happens to the land or security if obligations are not met. Coordinate property and corporate advice with technical and financial input. Clear milestones make performance easier to assess.
Practical Preparation Checklist
Identify contributions, project ownership and control.
Review funding, security and distribution arrangements.
Define milestones, default consequences and exit options.
Connect the Records to Your Objective
Explain the decision you need to make and prepare a consistent set of documents. Property references, party names and relevant dates should match across the records. Where something is missing or inconsistent, identify it for review rather than filling the gap with an assumption. Preserve original correspondence and obtain appropriate independent information.
Agree which legal checks are included and where survey, valuation, structural or other specialist advice is needed. A legal review can identify obligations and document risks, but it should not be confused with a technical inspection. Ask for the material findings and outstanding questions in writing.
Plan the Legal Work and Next Step
Review the proposed timing, responsibilities and costs before committing to a further step. Where a payment, notice or signature is required, establish its purpose and the conditions that apply. If a dispute or urgent deadline exists, raise it at the start of the instruction. Clear scope and reporting help you evaluate the advice and decide whether to proceed or investigate further.
Common Question
Is a simple profit-sharing promise enough for a landowner?
It may leave substantial questions unanswered. The land, project structure, obligations and failure scenarios should be documented and reviewed.
Tell our Nairobi team whether you are buying, selling, leasing, developing or dealing with an existing dispute. Share the property reference, documents available and any material deadline. Call +254 798 035 580, email info@wka.co.ke, or view contact and instruction details. We can assess the enquiry and explain the proposed scope before work begins.
General property information for Kenya. Advice depends on your documents, current law and circumstances. Updated 13 October 2026.
