Landowners Urged to Check Records and Pay Property Taxes

Landowners and occupants are encouraged to remain vigilant regarding their land records and stay up to date with their property-tax obligations.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Hon. Robert Montague, in making the call, said that property owners should routinely verify tax payments at their local tax offices to protect their land holdings against adverse possession risks.

“While we know that property rights are enshrined in our Constitution, you also have a responsibility as a property owner to check on your property,” he said.

He was addressing the recent contract signing ceremony for semi-permanent housing solutions for Hurricane Melissa survivors in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth at the Ministry’s headquarters in New Kingston.

Minister Montague explained that under local property tax legislation, tax liability rests with the current occupant of the land.

Consequently, tenants or renters found on a property are liable for paying the property taxes to tax authorities.

“As a renter… the law allows a tenant to deduct property taxes from the rent and give the receipt to the landlord [along with] the rest of the rent,” he pointed out.

While noting that the property tax laws include provisions for managing long-standing arrears, Minister Montague noted that the law also empowers the Government to sell properties with delinquent tax accounts to recover unpaid revenue.

However, he said that the Government seeks to avoid such measures through increased public cooperation and compliance.

“So, the payment of taxes is very serious because it is what pays for the streetlights… the garbage collection… the fire service. Every land- or homeowner needs these services. We are encouraging persons to do the right thing and pay your property taxes,” the Minister said.