Zimbabwean Property and Inheritance Rights for UK-Based Diaspora

Owning property in Zimbabwe or expecting to inherit assets there while living in the UK creates a complex legal situation that straddles two distinct legal systems. Understanding how each system applies — and where they interact — can save significant time, money, and family conflict. **Zimbabwean Property Ownership from Abroad** Zimbabweans in the UK can legally own property in Zimbabwe regardless of their immigration status in Britain. There are no restrictions on non-residents owning residential or commercial property in Zimbabwe, though foreign currency regulations and land ownership laws apply depending on the type of property. Urban residential stands and properties in towns and cities can be owned outright. Agricultural land is a different matter — large-scale commercial farming land remains subject to Zimbabwe's land reform framework, and acquisition of such land by non-citizens carries significant legal and political risk. If you are a Zimbabwean citizen living in the UK, you retain the right to own land, but any transaction should be handled through a registered Zimbabwean conveyancer (legal practitioner) to ensure title deeds are properly transferred and registered with the Deeds Registry. A common pitfall for diaspora property owners is failing to maintain physical presence or trusted local oversight of their properties. Properties left unattended have, in some cases, been occupied or encroached upon. Appointing a local property manager or a family member with a formal power of attorney provides legal protection. **Power of Attorney** If you need someone in Zimbabwe to manage, sell, or maintain property on your behalf, a Power of Attorney (POA) must be drafted and certified. When executed in the UK, the POA typically needs to be notarised by a UK notary public and then apostilled by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, so this apostille is recognised there. The document then needs to be presented to a Zimbabwean legal practitioner who will register it accordingly. **Inheritance Law in Zimbabwe** Zimbabwe's inheritance law is governed primarily by the Administration of Estates Act and the Deceased Estates Succession Act. When a Zimbabwean citizen or resident dies, their estate is administered through the Master of the High Court's office, which has offices in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, and Masvingo. If the deceased left a valid will, the executor named in the will applies to the Master's office to be appointed formally. If there is no will (intestacy), the estate is distributed according to Zimbabwean law, which prioritises the surviving spouse and children. Under the Deceased Persons Family Maintenance Act and subsequent legal amendments, a surviving spouse — including one in a registered customary union — has protected rights to the matrimonial home. Customary law still plays a role in many rural inheritance situations, particularly regarding land held under communal tenure. In these cases, allocation decisions may involve village headmen or chiefs, and formal legal title may not exist in the Western sense. Diaspora family members seeking to inherit such property should engage both a Zimbabwean lawyer and be prepared for community-level negotiations. **Wills: Making One in the UK That Works in Zimbabwe** If you own Zimbabwean assets, it is strongly advisable to make a separate Zimbabwean will in addition to your UK will. A UK will can technically cover worldwide assets, but enforcing it through Zimbabwean courts requires a process called resealing — applying to the Zimbabwean High Court to recognise the foreign grant of probate. This process adds cost and delay, and it is far more efficient to have a locally drafted will lodged with a Zimbabwean legal practitioner. Your Zimbabwean will should clearly identify all Zimbabwe-based assets, name an executor based in Zimbabwe, and be signed before a commissioner of oaths or notary public. Ensure the two wills do not contradict each other — ideally each should state that it covers only assets in its respective jurisdiction. **UK Inheritance Tax Considerations** If you are UK-domiciled (broadly, if the UK is your permanent home), HMRC may seek Inheritance Tax on your worldwide assets, including Zimbabwean property. The threshold for Inheritance Tax is £325,000 (as of 2024–25), with assets above this taxed at 40%. There is no double taxation treaty between the UK and Zimbabwe specifically covering inheritance, so estates may face tax obligations in both countries. Specialist advice from a UK solicitor with international estate planning experience is essential if your combined estate is substantial. **Practical Steps for Diaspora Property Owners** Register title deeds in your own name rather than leaving property in a deceased relative's name, as this creates complications when you later wish to sell or transfer. Keep copies of all title deeds, agreements of sale, and receipts in both the UK and Zimbabwe. Engage a reputable Zimbabwean legal practitioner — the Law Society of Zimbabwe maintains a register of practitioners. For UK-side advice on cross-border estates, look for solicitors who are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).