land administration Jamaica

Title insurance protects property buyers against losses arising from defects in title, fraud, and encumbrances that were not discovered during the conveyancing process. While it is standard practice in North America, awareness and uptake in Jamaica remains low — leaving buyers exposed to risks that a policy would cover.

Unpaid property taxes in Jamaica can ultimately result in the government pursuing a forced sale of the property to recover the outstanding amount. Many landowners — particularly those overseas — are unaware that years of unnoticed arrears can put their property at risk of legal proceedings.

Boundary disputes between neighbouring landowners are among the most common property conflicts in Jamaica. They arise from imprecise historical surveys, encroachments by structures built over the legal boundary, discrepancies between the registered plan and physical occupation, and deliberate removal or movement of boundary pegs. Left unresolved, boundary disputes can stall sales, trigger costly litigation, and occasionally escalate into violence.