The table below provides a comprehensive overview of various property tenure types, each defining different aspects of land ownership and use. Historically, all land in Jamaica is considered to be held from the Crown, with individuals referred to as ‘holders’ or ‘tenants’ having specific rights and interests in the estate. The nature of these interests varies significantly depending on the type of tenure.
Freehold tenure, for example, represents the most complete form of ownership, granting individuals rights over the property in perpetuity. In contrast, leasehold tenure involves temporary rights to use and occupy property under certain conditions and for a defined period. Commonhold tenure offers ownership of individual units within a larger property along with shared rights to common areas. Customary tenure reflects traditional land use practices based on local customs, while conditional tenure ties property rights to specific conditions or obligations.
Understanding these different t…
