Real estate and conveyancing lawyers in Montego Bay
Buying, selling, leasing and transferring property across Jamaica, from the first title search to the new title in your name.
Buying or selling property is one of the largest financial decisions most people make. In Jamaica, the transfer of registered land is a formal process involving the sale agreement, the stamping of documents by Tax Administration Jamaica and the registration of the transfer at the National Land Agency. Mistakes at any stage can delay completion by months or put your money at risk.
We act for buyers, sellers, lenders, landlords and tenants on residential and commercial property throughout Jamaica, including clients who are buying or selling from overseas.
Before you sign anything, talk to us. A sale agreement is binding once signed, and it is far easier to protect your position before that point than after.
Buying property
When you buy, we check that the seller has good title to sell, review the certificate of title for mortgages, caveats, restrictive covenants and easements, and confirm that rates and taxes are paid. We prepare or review the agreement for sale, hold the deposit in our client account, and arrange the transfer and registration so that the title is issued in your name.
- Title searches at the National Land Agency
- Review of surveyor's identification reports and boundary issues
- Agreements for sale and purchase
- Liaison with your bank or mortgage lender
- Stamping, transfer tax and registration of the transfer
- Strata (apartment and townhouse) purchases and strata corporation documents
Selling property
When you sell, we prepare the agreement for sale, collect the deposit and balance, deal with the discharge of any existing mortgage, explain the transfer tax and stamp duty that apply to you, and hand over the title on completion. If the property is part of a deceased relative's estate, we can deal with the estate and the sale together.
Leases, gifts and transfers between family members
We prepare and register leases, transfers by way of gift, transfers into joint names, and transfers of land to beneficiaries under a will or an intestacy. We also advise on adding or removing a name from a title.
Unregistered land and title applications
Some property in Jamaica, especially family land, has never been registered or is held under old common-law documents. We advise on bringing land under the Registration of Titles Act, applications for first registration, and the options available where the paper trail is incomplete.
Property disputes
Where a transaction goes wrong, we act in disputes over breach of an agreement for sale, return of deposits, boundary disputes, easements and rights of way, caveats, recovery of possession and claims by people in long occupation of land. See also our civil litigation page.
Questions clients ask
How long does a property sale take in Jamaica?
A straightforward sale is often completed in roughly 90 days from signing the agreement, but timing depends on mortgage approval, the stamping of documents and the registration of the transfer. We give you a realistic timeline at the start and keep you updated.
Can the same attorney act for the buyer and the seller?
In some simple transactions one attorney may act for both sides with their informed consent, but where interests conflict each party should have their own attorney. We will tell you if we think you need separate representation.
Who pays transfer tax and stamp duty?
Transfer tax is usually the seller's cost, while stamp duty and registration fees are commonly shared or allocated by the agreement for sale. The rates are set by the Government of Jamaica and can change, so we confirm current figures for your transaction in writing.
Can I buy property in Jamaica if I live overseas?
Yes. Non-residents can buy property in Jamaica. We can handle the whole transaction for you remotely, including arranging how documents are signed and witnessed abroad. See legal help for clients overseas.
Talk to an attorney about your matter
Consultations in person in Montego Bay, by phone or by video call.