Buying land from the ministry of housing

Question from Mary, New York, USA:

"My brother has lived on government property for several years now. The government says he needs to pay the back taxes. How would he go about purchasing the land and paying the back taxes? Where does he start?"

Answer by Wellesley:

Thanks for the question, Mary. This is actually more common than most people realize, especially in cases where families have been living on lands that fall under the management of the Jamaican government—whether it’s the Ministry of Housing, the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) Holdings, or another state agency.

The good news is that there’s usually a process for regularizing occupancy and even buying the land outright—but yes, it will involve clearing up any arrears like unpaid taxes.

The first step your brother should take is to find out exactly which government agency owns or manages the land. If it’s through the Ministry of Housing, he can start by contacting the National Land Agency (NLA) or HAJ (Housing Agency of Jamaica). If it's agricultural or former sugar estate land, it may fall under SCJ Holdings.

Once he confirms the land’s status, the agency will typically review his length of occupancy, the type of structure on the land, and any existing agreements or attempts to regularize the property in the past. If he has been there for years without official paperwork, they may require a formal application for purchase or lease, including supporting documents like proof of residence and identification.

As for the back taxes, he will need to contact the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) to get a printout or statement showing what is owed. The agency managing the land may even give him a clearance requirement or use the tax payments as part of the condition to transfer ownership.

After that, if he's approved to purchase the land, he’ll likely be required to sign a sale agreement or lease-to-own agreement and make payments over time—or in full—depending on the terms. He should also work with a lawyer or land surveyor if needed, especially to make sure everything is transferred properly once paid.

In summary, tell your brother to:
1) confirm which agency controls the land,
2) get the back taxes statement from TAJ, and
3) begin the process of applying to purchase through the right channels.
He can also visit or call the parish office of the Ministry of Housing or the NLA for direct assistance. I hope that helps put him on the right track!

📚 Recommended reading: Jamaica on a Budget – Discovering Paradise Without The Price Tag!
📅 Last updated: May 29, 2025

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