A quick guide to buying property or land in St. Lucia
A quick guide to buying property or land in St. Lucia
Buying a property may seem like a daunting task, but with the right information you can make knowledgeable decisions that are best for you. Our sales representatives are here to help guide you through the process; we also advise that you consult an attorney regarding all legal documents. If you do not have a local attorney we will be happy to provide recommendations.
Foreign individuals (non-Caricom) and companies wishing to purchase property in St. Lucia are required to first obtain an Alien’s Landholding License. The application for the license can be made by the applicant; however once granted it must be registered with the Land Registry Department by an attorney.
The following information is to be noted:
License applications are usually made at the beginning of the property purchasing process, often upon the parties’ signing an agreement of sale, and take approximately four to six weeks to process. Once the application has been processed by the Ministry of Physical Development and has been approved, a draft license is sent by the applicant’s attorney to the Attorney General’s chambers for further approval. Once approved, the license is prepared and sent to the Prime Minister’s office for signature. Once signed, the license is then sent to the Land Registry to be registered and entered on the Deed of Sale, conveying the property into the name of the newly licensed purchaser.
Application Requirements for an Alien’s Landholding License for a given property:
If the purchaser is buying a built property requiring physical improvement or intends to build a property on the purchased land, planning permission is required from the DCA. Planning permission is granted in accordance with guidelines established by acts of Parliament and statutory instruments, as well as zoning and environmental considerations.