Completion Time Frame: 1 day (simultaneous with Step 2)
Completion Costs: JMD 1,000
Points to Note:
Perform a caveat search and title search at the National Land Agency

Step 2: Obtain a certificate of good standing from the Registrar of Companies

Completion Time Frame: 7 days (simultaneous with Step 1)
Completion Costs: JMD 1,000
Points to Note:
The buyer must obtain a certificate of good standing from The Registrar of Companies.

Step 3: Assessment of tax and duties at the National Tax Authority

Completion Time Frame: 30 days
Completion Costs: no cost
Points to Note:
A signed sale purchase agreement is sent for assessment of duties at the Tax Payer Audit & Assessment Department of the National Tax Authority.

Step 4: Tax and duties are paid at the National Tax authority and the transfer deed is sent for cross-stamping

Completion Time Frame: 3 days
Completion Costs: 6 % of property price (Transfer Tax) + 4.5% of property price (Stamp Duty)
Points to Note:
The transfer deed, signed by both parties, is sent for cross-stamping at the Taxpayer Audit and Assessment Department. Once the agreement for sale is stamped (stamp duty has been paid), cross-stamping can be done at any time.

Step 5: Apply for registration at the National Land Agency

Completion Time Frame: 14 days
Completion Costs: 0.5% of property value (registration fee)
Points to Note:
The buyer applies for registration of the title under his name at the Title Office, which falls under the National Land Agency. The registration fee is fixed by law at 0.5% of the property value and it is paid at the National Land Agency.
Once the transfer is completed then the utility companies must be advised of the change in owners so that they can enter into new contractual arrangements with the new owner. All sale agreements contain a special condition which state that both parties agree that the vendor’s attorney will prepare letters to the National Water Commission (water) and Jamaica Public Service Ltd (electricity); the letter of possession; and the Tax Registration form and that the parties will share the cost equally. The purchaser at the end of the day is given all these letters along with his title to the property for him to deliver these letters at his leisure. The attorney’s cost for the above letters will be about JMD 9,000.
If the valuation number to the property is added to the transfer document then the tax roll is then amended automatically.

The documentation shall include:
Instrument of Transfer
Duplicate Certificate of Title