The Barbados Land Registry

BARBADOS LAND REGISTRY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS�(FAQ)

1. What is registration of title about?

Registration of title concerns the establishment of ownership of land, the boundaries thereof and entry of the title to the land and all relevant legal data on a separate folio or folios of the Land Register together with a unique number (registration).

2. What are the benefits of this process?

Simplification of dealings in land.
Elimination of the need to search several deeds and other legal documents in order to establish ownership of title (therefore reducing cost).
Government will guarantee title to all registered land.

3. Is my parcel of land registered or within a registration district?

To find out if a parcel of land is registered, you are requested to present the name of the owner, the land tax reference number, a copy of a lot plan and previous conveyance.

If the property is located within the registration district but not registered, any documents to be recorded should be submitted along with a Section 17 (4) letter.

4. What is a registration district?

This is a small area of a parish that is so declared by the Minister responsible for Housing and Lands.

5. Why do I need to pay first registration fees?

This fee goes toward investigation of title of land.� This should be submitted when the area is declared a registration district by the minister.� Usually residents will be informed when this occurs.

These fees are based on the improved value on your most recent land tax bill or the site value.

6. What is the rate of transfer tax?

The rate of this tax will vary from time to time; however, the current rate is 2.5% after April 2007.� Deeds presented prior to this date were at 7.5%.

7. How are searches on properties carried out?

Applications of official searches on registered parcels will be processed by land registry staff, for a fee of $10.00.

Searches on unregistered parcels can be carried out by attorney/legal clerks.

Independent Searches carry a cost of $5.00 for each year being searched.� e.g. a search being done on a property for the years 1990-1995 will carry a cost of $5.00 x 6 = $30.00.

8. What if there is a dispute over ownership or boundaries of land?

Where there is a dispute as to ownership, a Commissioner of Titles will hold a hearing in order to settle the dispute.� If there is a dispute as to boundaries however,� this will be dealt with in the first instance by the Chief Surveyor and if there is no settlement, then by a Commissioner of Titles.


	BARBADOS LAND REGISTRY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS�(FAQ) 1. What is registration of title about? Registration of title concerns the establishment of ownership of land, the boundaries thereof and entry of the title to the land and all relevant legal data on a separate folio or folios of the Land Register together with a unique number (registration). 2. What are the benefits of this process? Simplification of dealings in land. Elimination of the need to search several deeds and other legal documents in order to establish ownership of title (therefore reducing cost). Government will guarantee title to all registered land. 3. Is my parcel of land registered or within a registration district? To find out if a parcel of land is registered, you are requested to present the name of the owner, the land tax reference number, a copy of a lot plan and previous conveyance. If the property is located within the registration district but not registered, any documents to be recorded should be submitted along with a Section 17 (4) letter. 4. What is a registration district? This is a small area of a parish that is so declared by the Minister responsible for Housing and Lands. 5. Why do I need to pay first registration fees? This fee goes toward investigation of title of land.� This should be submitted when the area is declared a registration district by the minister.� Usually residents will be informed when this occurs. These fees are based on the improved value on your most recent land tax bill or the site value. 6. What is the rate of transfer tax? The rate of this tax will vary from time to time; however, the current rate is 2.5% after April 2007.� Deeds presented prior to this date were at 7.5%. 7. How are searches on properties carried out? Applications of official searches on registered parcels will be processed by land registry staff, for a fee of $10.00. Searches on unregistered parcels can be carried out by attorney/legal clerks. Independent Searches carry a cost of $5.00 for each year being searched.� e.g. a search being done on a property for the years 1990-1995 will carry a cost of $5.00 x 6 = $30.00. 8. What if there is a dispute over ownership or boundaries of land? Where there is a dispute as to ownership, a Commissioner of Titles will hold a hearing in order to settle the dispute.� If there is a dispute as to boundaries however,� this will be dealt with in the first instance by the Chief Surveyor and if there is no settlement, then by a Commissioner of Titles.