Property ownership in Jamaica can sometimes feel complex, especially with terms like freehold, leasehold, and commonhold being used. But these aren’t just legal phrases—they’re the foundation of how property rights are structured. Knowing these basics can empower Jamaicans to make informed decisions when buying, selling, or investing in property. Here’s a breakdown of these terms to make them easy to understand and show how they relate to your rights as an owner.
Property Tenure: The Basics
Tenure simply means the way land or property is owned. In Jamaica, the three main types are freehold tenure, leasehold tenure, and commonhold. Each offers different rights and responsibilities:
Freehold Tenure: If you own property on freehold tenure, it’s yours outright. This usually includes two types of estates:
Fee Simple Estate: This is the most complete form of ownership, where the property is yours permanently and can be passed down to heirs.
Life Estate: This is ownership for the duration of some…
