The rules
These rules are published before claims open, and they do not change afterwards. If you are told something different at a desk, this page is what applies.
Version 1.0.0 · 2026-08-05
How claims are ranked
Where more than one person claims the same shop, this is the order in which claims are considered. A verified original occupant ranks ahead of a new subscriber — always, whatever order the claims arrived in.
- 1
Original owner — documentary evidence
A verified original occupant holding an allotment letter, old certificate, ownership document or payment receipt for the shop.
- 2
Original owner — corroborative evidence
A verified original occupant holding records showing they occupied and paid for the shop: tenement or levy receipts, union dues, bank transfers, tenancy papers.
- 3
Original owner — attestation
A verified original occupant supported by a sworn declaration, their line head and two neighbouring occupants, posted publicly for objection.
- 4
Original owner — claim recorded, evidence outstanding
A verified original occupant who has come forward but has not yet produced evidence. They hold their position while they gather it.
- 5
New subscriber — documentary evidence
A new subscriber holding a payment receipt or allocation document for the shop.
- 6
New subscriber — corroborative evidence
A new subscriber holding supporting records of payment.
- 7
New subscriber — attestation
A new subscriber supported by attestation.
- 8
New subscriber — claim recorded, evidence outstanding
A new subscriber who has come forward but has not yet produced evidence.
Coming forward late does not cost you your position. An original owner who has registered a claim but not yet gathered evidence still ranks ahead of every new subscriber. What matters is that you come forward.
Shops held for owners who have not come forward
A block of shops is held back from general allocation until the original-owner window closes.
While that window is open, those shops can be claimed by the original owner, or by an heir, spouse or child standing in their place. They cannot be claimed by new subscribers. When the window closes, the shops are released and are open to everyone.
This exists because at Ekeoha 142 genuine displaced owners never came forward at all. Holding those units back is what protects that group from the consequences of not having acted in time.
If the owner has died, moved away, or cannot come themselves
There is a route for each of these. You do not need to have everything — any one of the routes listed under your situation is enough.
Heir of a deceased owner
Two things must be shown: that the owner has died, and that this claimant is entitled to stand in their place.
Letter of administration
Death certificate + Letter of administration
Sworn declaration supported by attestation
Death certificate + Sworn declaration + Line head attestation
For families who cannot obtain letters of administration in time. The line head confirms who the family is, which in a market where everyone knows their neighbour is hard to falsify — and the claim goes to adjudication rather than being cleared automatically.
Spouse of the owner
A spouse may be claiming for a deceased owner or standing in for one who is alive but absent. The route differs, and both are legitimate.
Deceased owner, with letters of administration
Death certificate + Letter of administration
Deceased owner, with sworn declaration and attestation
Death certificate + Sworn declaration + Line head attestation
Living owner, represented
Power of attorney
The relocated-owner case. The owner is alive and has authorised representation.
Child of the owner
As for an heir, and on the same routes.
Letter of administration
Death certificate + Letter of administration
Sworn declaration supported by attestation
Death certificate + Sworn declaration + Line head attestation
Living owner, represented
Power of attorney
Acting as the owner's agent
An agent must show written authority. A beneficial-owner declaration naming the person they act for is required in addition (§6.1).
Power of attorney
Power of attorney
If your claim is refused
Every refusal is given to you in writing, with the reasons for it. You can appeal against those reasons.
- You will be told why. A claim cannot be refused without written reasons. If you have not been given reasons, the decision is not complete.
- There is a time limit. Appeals must be lodged within the window published for your market (21 days unless stated otherwise). An appeal that arrives later is still recorded on your file.
- There is a clock on us too. A decision on your appeal is due within the published period, and the date is shown to you from the day you lodge it.
- The panel gives reasons as well. Whether your appeal succeeds or fails, you are given the reasoning in writing and the name of who decided it.
Where your market's dates are
The dates that apply to your market — when claims open and close, when the reserve lapses, and the forfeiture rule — are published on your market's page and shown on your claim.
/api/public/rules?marketId=…
Change history
1.0.0 · 2026-08-05
First publication of the allocation rules.
- Published the priority ladder: verified original occupants rank ahead of new subscribers, and an original owner who has come forward but not yet produced evidence keeps their position.
- Published the succession routes for heirs, spouses and children, including a route that does not require letters of administration.
- Published the ring-fenced reserve: shops held for original owners are not available to new subscribers while the window is open.
- Published the appeals window: written reasons for every refusal, a time limit to appeal, and a fixed clock for the decision.