Real estate in Anguilla

Buying Property in Anguilla

Real estate in Anguilla a guide aimed at overseas buyes considering buying property in Anguilla

Anguilla is seen by many as an ideal place to buy. This small West Indian island, located east of Puerto Rico, is an often overlooked place but is a favorite among those who know it. It does have strict laws on foreign land ownership, so it is important to understand the process before buying.

Looking for a property on Anguilla is not difficult, as the island is only 39 square miles in size. A non-resident, or Non-Belonger in Anguillan terms, can only purchase up to half an acre of land. If you want to buy more land, than you must apply to the government for permission and you must prove you need the larger land. Also, ocean-front land properties that are on beaches are reserved for tourism purposes and foreigners are not allowed to buy these properties. If you do want to rent out your property, permission is needed from the government and is subject to a yearly fee of US $1,200.

Once you have settled on your property and negotiated terms with the seller, you must apply for an Alien Land Holding License before purchasing. This requires a 12.5% payment to the government upon purchase. Getting the license requires a fair amount of information to be submitted, including photos and references. It also takes a bit of time, often up to 3 months. The license is site specific, so once you have it you can’t apply it to another piece of property.

If your purchase is for land upon which you want to build a house or rental property, you must also apply for approval to build. The Physical Planning Department needs drawings and takes about 3 weeks to approve potential plans.

After all the approvals have been received and you have your Alien Land Holding License, you can close on the property. You must pay the 12.5% to the government at this time, as well as an additional transfer tax of 5% of the selling price. Other fees are a processing fee and any legal fees. If the seller used and agent, the seller is responsible for the agent’s fees. There is a yearly property tax of .0175% of the value, but there are no capital gains or inheritance taxes on Anguilla.

Useful Anguilla resources