Generally, Cambodians have two forms of real estate rights. That is, "soft card" and "hard card". This title has never appeared in the Ministry of Land and Resources or laws. The locals say it like this for convenience.

Cambodian real estate property rights hard card

Refers to the form of property rights recognized by the central government based on land law, which is practically and legally guaranteed. The hard card property rights issued by the Cambodian central government are permanent property rights.

Hard title is the strongest form of property ownership in Cambodia and the best land title.

Hard title includes details fully recognized by state-level land authorities and land offices.

It is a form of property ownership recognized by the central government based on the land law and reviewed and issued by the Ministry of Land and Resources

Types of hard cards

1. Real estate holding certificate (Also known as land use certificate)

2. Real estate ownership certificate (house use certificate)

Both are certificates registered with the land administration agency in accordance with the land law, and are issued in good faith by the official Printed on high-quality paper, which can be mortgaged to banks for loans.

Cambodian real estate property rights soft card

Refers to the issuance by the local government, and in practical applications is evidence for claiming the property rights. The property rights of the soft card issued by the district government or divisional government shall be based on the actual registration period.

Fifteen years have passed since the Land Law was passed in 2001. Since most of the land in Cambodia has still not been registered with government agencies, soft card documents are very common in Cambodian society. Local people can start trading by registering with the local government through the village chief or their own connections. However, if you want to convert it into a hard card, you need legal ruling and confirmation to be recognized as the legal owner.

In Cambodia, you can only choose between land property rights and house property rights. When locals purchase terraced houses (attached to land), they only have land property rights but no building property rights. However, foreigners holding property rights above the second floor only register building property rights, not land property rights. According to property rights regulations, foreign investors cannot legally own ground-floor apartments, and the proportion of all foreign-invested properties in a single managed apartment building can only reach a maximum of 70%.