Kingston, Jamaica — 26 July 2025
The National Land Agency (NLA) is urging Jamaicans to clearly distinguish between a boundary survey and a certificate of title, warning that confusion between the two continues to stall land registration and fuel property disputes across the island.
In a recent public information interview, the Agency’s senior official responsible for surveys and mapping explained that a boundary or cadastral survey defines and mathematically describes the limits of a parcel of land. However, it does not, on its own, confer ownership. The survey plan is one of several supporting documents required when applying for a registered title.
The clarification speaks directly to one of the most persistent weaknesses in Jamaica’s property system: the gap between occupation and formal ownership.
A Diagram Is Not Ownership
A certified survey diagram shows the extent of land on the ground. It may be pre-checked and approved by the NLA, but it is not proof of legal title. Only registrat…
