Jamaica Real Estate Laws

Jamaica is a relatively small island in the Caribbean with diverse Real Estate Laws.

Jamaica's Real Estate Law is a mixture of the island's British heritage and the legislative fusion. It is hoped that at the end of this article, you will have a basic yet sound understand of Real Estate Laws in Jamaica.

Jamaica has two land systems that are distinct yet sometimes interrelated. The two land systems exists in duality. These two systems are (1) the Unregistered Land System and (2) the Registered Land System.

The Unregistered Land System is the original land system that existed in Jamaica and predates Jamaica's independence in August 6, 1962. In post independence Jamaica there has been a greater move on the part of the Jamaican Government to bring most of the unregistered land under the Registered Land System. The Registered Land System of Jamaica represents and adoption of the Torrens Land System of Registration of Title as opposed to Title by registration; meaning the Title Register is meant to reflect the nature and scope of the Title of the Proprietor whose name an dother particulars has been entered on the Register for the land that has been designated a specific Volume and Filio number, eg. Volume 0445 Folio 00

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This bring us to the primary distinction between the Registered Land and the Unregistered Land.

A Registered Land in Jamaica is a parcel of land that has been surveyed (or the size of which has been otherwise ascertained) and registered under and by virtue of the Registration of Titles Act and given a specific volume and filio number. This volume and folio number combination serves as a unique identifier for that land. You may then use this volume and folio combination for future research or transaction purposes involving the specific land.

On the other hand, unregistered lands are land that have not yet been brought under the operation of the Registration of Titles Act. These lands are therefor not identifiable by a distinct volume and folio number combination. For the most part theses lands are identified by their Land Valuation Number which is also known as the land tax number. While the Government of Jamaica strives to designate a land valuation number for every parcel of land on the island, there are some lands that still have not been given a land valuation number. Therefore, unregistered lands are easily identified where the land does not have a volume and folio number reference. unregistered land may have a land valuation number making it easy to do a First Registration of Title Application in Jamaica or an Adverse Possession Application in Jamaica. An Application for First Registration and an Application by way or adverse possession are the more popular ways to get a title registered in your name. In order to do an Application for Title by First Registration or an Application to obtain title by way of Adverse Possession, it is best to seek the assitance of a qualified Attorney-at-Law.

Lindo Law has years of experience in doing Adverse Possession Applications as well as First Registration Applications. Contact Lindo Law at lindo-law.com or by calling/whatsapping 8767706870. Our competent and friendly staff is here to assist you with taking that step forward.

*Disclaimer: The above information does not constitute legal advice and is posted for general information and education purpose only.