Purchasing Barbados Property Consideration Guide

Looking to invest in Barbados real estate?  There are several options available and several local companies available to assist you through the various stages of the process.  Let us use our experience and local knowledge to assist you.  

Whether you are currently living in Barbados, or looking to invest from overseas, there are several things to consider when buying or selling your property. This Guide will help answer some of the many questions you may have. For additional information, please feel free to contact us directly.

To start, here are a few guidelines for non-Barbadian buyers of Barbados real estate:

  • Land and property are available without restrictions to non-nationals.
  • A non-Barbadian buyer must first receive permission from the Central Bank of Barbados. This step is merely a formality.
  • Vendors are liable for the property transfer tax which is charged at the rate as outlined in the table below.
  • Financing is available locally for non-Barbadians, however, various regulations apply. (See, Residence and Exchange, below.)
  • You must retain the services of an Attorney-at-Law on the island to represent your interests.(See, Retaining Legal Advice, below.)

The remainder of this Guide outlines other considerations to be considered in deciding to invest in Barbados Real Estate. It also gives a very simple outline of the process of buying real estate in Barbados.

Legal Considerations

The Barbados legal system is derived from English common law statutes.

Retaining Legal Advice

Any person intending to buy or sell real estate in Barbados must retain the services of an Attorney-at-Law on the island to represent their interests. The Agreement for Sale, the Deed of Conveyance and the Deed of Transfer must all be prepared by an Attorney-at-Law. The peculiarities of Barbados' Conveyancing Laws, the absence of any scheme of insurance, and the predominance of unregistered title to land are factors that may render real estate transactions in Barbados potentially risky for the unfamiliar purchaser.

The Agreement for Sale

Once you have found the appropriate property, and the negotiations are complete, the starting point of the sales transaction is the Agreement for Sale, which is usually prepared by the Attorney-at-Law acting for the Vendor.  At the time of signing, the Purchaser signs the Agreement in duplicate and pays a deposit-typically 10% of the purchase price. The Agreement, together with the deposit, is then delivered to the vendor's Attorney-at-law. The Vendor will then execute the Agreement and a copy of the duly executed agreement is then delivered to the Purchaser's Attorney-at-Law.

Investigation of Title

After the Agreement is signed, the Purchaser's Attorney-at-Law conducts a search against the title to the property to ensure that the Vendor holds a good legal title to the property and there are no encumbrances such as mortgages or charges of liens affecting the property. Encumbrances may also take the form of unpaid judgments, outstanding water bills, and unpaid land taxes.

Completion of the Sale and Purchase

Once the investigation of title is completed, the Vendor's Attorney-at-Law prepares the instrument used to convey the title to the Purchaser. Upon closing, the Vendor's Attorney-at-Law will normally exchange that instrument, along with prior deeds, for the balance of the purchase money.

Closing Costs

The Vendor of the property will be liable to pay the Stamp Duty and Property Transfer Tax. Legal fees are usually 1.5% to 2% of the purchase price of the property plus applicable VAT.

 

Taxation Considerations

 

Land Tax

Land Tax, or Property Tax, is payable annually and is computed as follows: 

There is a ceiling of US $30,000  where the dwelling house is used exclusively as a residence by the person who owns the land on which the dwelling house is erected. For additional information, please see Barbados Land Tax info.

Property Transfer Tax

The land tax rate is 2.5%, payable by the vendor upon the sale of the property.  Where the transaction is land only, the property tax is paid on the full amount. However, if the transaction includes a dwelling house, the first BBD$150,000.00 is exempt from the tax.  For additional information, please see Barbados Land Registry.

Stamp Duty

This is payable by the vendor at the rate of 1% on the gross consideration.

Personal Tax vs Corporate Tax

The property owner can hold the real estate investment personally or they may set-up a holding company to do so. In either case, so long as the owner and/or the holding company are non-residents for Barbados tax purposes, there will be a withholding tax at a rate of 25% on the gross rental income earned from the property.

It is possible to obtain permission from the local tax authorities to file a Barbados tax return which would include the gross rental income less the related expenses. In such a case, if the property is owned personally, the applicable tax rate is 15% on the net rental income. The rate also applies if a company owns and rents the residential property.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Where the property is rented on a short term basis and income exceeds BBD$5,000 monthly or BBD$60,000 per annum, the owner will be required to register for VAT and charge VAT accordingly. In Barbados, VAT is imposed on the supply of a dwelling house that is rented to persons for use as a vacation or holiday home at the rate of 7.5%.

The owner may also claim VAT that is charged by suppliers on the maintenance of the property etc. against the VAT charges on the tenants. However, long term rentals are exempt from VAT.

Other Considerations

There is no Capital Gains Tax in Barbados; nor is there any Estate, Inheritance or Gift Tax. The title may be taken in a person's name or a company may be set up to own the property. In case of ownership by a company, if it is incorporated outside of Barbados, it must be registered in Barbados.

Property Management Fees

This cost can vary depending on the needs of the client. The property management companies on the island are excellent and the services are customized to suit every property owner's needs.

Deposits

Contract deposits are usually 10% of the purchase price. A refundable reservation deposit is required if the Buyer is purchasing at the pre-construction phase. Stage payments are then made in accordance with the sale agreement schedule.

Bank Accounts

A non-national may open a bank account with the proper identification and bank and professional references. Anti-money laundering legislation requires non-nationals to provide evidence of Source of Funds.

Agency Fees

The unofficial commission rate for real estate agents is 5% of the sale price plus applicable VAT.

 

Residence and Exchange Controls

Non-residents are required to apply to the Exchange Control Authority for permission to bring in and register their foreign currency for the purchase of property in Barbados. This is to facilitate the future repatriation of funds. Failure to do so could prevent or delay such repatriation. In the statement made by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance on March 14th 2007, it was proposed where there was sale of a property by a non-resident to another non-resident and there is no foreign exchange loss, the proceeds of the sale can be repatriated without restrictions.

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