Property
Property Act conveyancing with a land tax on improved value
Barbados uses a deeds-based conveyancing system under the Property Act, Cap. 236, rather than full Torrens registration, so title is proved through a chain of registered conveyances at the Land Registry. Non-nationals may buy freely, but funds should be registered with the Central Bank so that sale proceeds can be repatriated. Land tax is charged annually on the improved value of the parcel.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National; Land Registry and the Land Tax Department
- Deadline — Property transfer tax and stamp duty: payable by the vendor on completion
- Deadline — Land tax: assessed annually with a payment date set in the notice
Governing law
- Property Act, Cap. 236
- Land Tax Act, Cap. 78A
- Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act, Cap. 239B
- Land Acquisition Act, Cap. 228
In practice
The Central Bank registration step is the one non-resident buyers routinely omit, and it matters on exit rather than on purchase: without evidence that the acquisition funds came in through the banking system, repatriating the proceeds of a later sale becomes materially harder. Because title rests on the chain of deeds, a full search and an examination of the vendor's root of title remain essential.