Real Estate 2024 Comparisons

The Bahamian legal system is based on the English common law system. The main sources of real estate law are local legislation, local case law and case law from Commonwealth jurisdictions.

The global COVID-19 pandemic, whilst having a profoundly adverse effect on tourism in The Bahamas, also heralded an unprecedented real estate boom, which lasted from late-2020 to mid-2023.

During this period, frenetic activity was seen in the mid-level, high-end and ultra-high-end market ranges. By and large, most purchases were cash transactions from foreign investors and buyers, with gated residential and resort communities being amongst the most sought-after areas. However, domestic borrowings and purchases by residents also returned with renewed vigour and strength, in a marked turn for that aspect of the industry.

Most non-Bahamian purchasers appeared to be individuals or families keen to establish alternative options for their lifestyles, schooling and work (particularly as hybrid working arrangements became the norm around the world). Often, more simply, purchasers sought a sanctuary or retreat from their home bases and the issues or frustrations that challenged life in the preceding year of social, health, financial and sometimes political turmoil. In all such cases, the historic attractiveness of The Bahamas as a politically stable jurisdiction with common language and currency exchange rate, and being nearshore or easily accessible to their home jurisdictions, was a tell-tale feature in the decision-making of many buyers.

The losses from the global shutdown and the shattering impact of Hurricane Dorian (in 2019) were so dismal a backdrop as to make any positive improvement appear to be all the greater, but many in the industry quite justifiably view the period beginning in late 2020 through to mid-2023 as one of the greatest and most aggressive real estate markets that The Bahamas may ever see.

By the beginning to mid-2023, rising inflation and the fears of a recession, coupled with stock market volatility and the drop in cryptocurrency values, had impacted the strength of the real estate market. Although demand and values have remained strong in particular ultra-high-end developments, the real estate market has otherwise returned to a much flatter or even declining trajectory characterised by more limited inventory and softer values.

At the same time the government of The Bahamas appears to be putting greater focus on ensuring a more equitable and stringent approach to the collection of revenue from the real estate sector. This has been seen for example in the extension of legal remedies for the non-payment of real property taxes (together with the practical enforcement of such remedies) and in the introduction of a condo-hotel tax payable by owners who benefit from real property tax concessions for rental properties but who only achieve limited rentals and thus limited VAT revenue for government.

Impact of Disruptive Technologies

Real estate purchasers and developers have taken a guarded approach to the introduction of digital or decentralised purchase and finance technologies, and continue to approach transaction structuring through conservative and established practices. Although The Bahamas government previously sought to encourage the development of the digital asset space, including the establishment of a framework for the regulation of such business by the enactment of the Digital Assets and Registered Exchange Act in 2020, the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX in late-2022, which had established its headquarters in Nassau, has led to a withdrawal from the promotion of this sector of the economy, which is not expected to recover within the next 12 months.

The current government administration has stressed the importance of improving the “ease of doing business‟ as a priority in its agenda, particularly reform of land administration and tenure. In February 2022, a government-appointed Land Reform Committee was constituted by The Bahamas government to review land-related issues for potential reform and make recommendations for consideration and advancement by the government. It is anticipated that proposals will be put forward in the near future for the implementation of a system of registered land in The Bahamas.

Real estate can be held as freehold title absolute or leasehold.

In The Bahamas, the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, 1909, principally governs the determination of title to real property and conveyancing transactions. The title to condominium units is governed by the Law of Property and Conveyancing (Condominium) Act, 1965 (as amended). The laws applicable to transfer of title do not vary between commercial and residential properties, but certain acquisitions by non-Bahamians would require prior government approval (see 2.11 Legal Restrictions on Foreign Investors).

The transfer of title must be effected in writing and is done by deed. Electronic signatures are not permitted for the conveyance of real property and strict formalities must be complied with requiring original wet signatures, notarisation and (often) further authentication. Once completed, the deed must be stamped by the Department of Inland Revenue, and any applicable taxes on the transaction must be paid. Every deed must include the real property tax assessment number on the front page when submitted for stamping.

The deed is then lodged in the Registry of Records to establish its priority against subsequent purchasers, encumbrances or liens. The original deed, once recorded, is returned to the purchaser for safekeeping, together with any other original deeds in the chain of title that may change hands on closing.

Whilst not yet a mainstay of Bahamian conveyancing transactions, title insurance is becoming increasingly popular and more frequently relied upon (in lieu of a buyer’s or lender’s counsel carrying out due diligence on property to be acquired or mortgaged). The customary arrangement for title insurance is for a buyer or lender to be issued a commitment prior to closing, and for the actual policy to be issued once the relevant purchase or security documents have been stamped by the Public Treasury and recorded in the Registry of Records.

As there is no land registry in The Bahamas, good and marketable title to land is determined by searches conducted against the names of predecessors in title and the seller in the Registry of Records, the Supreme Court Registry, the Companies Registry and the Probate Registry. Certain searches must be conducted manually, and this can have an impact on the time it takes to conclude a real estate transaction in The Bahamas due to some continuing restrictions on access to undertake such searches following the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a purchase and sale transaction, Bahamian law requires that title traces back to a “root of title” (ie, to a deed not less than 30 years old), to a “Crown Grant” or to a Certificate of Title issued in accordance with the Quieting Titles Act, and that there be an unbroken chain of documentary title from such point to the seller’s ownership.

During a standard purchase and sale transaction, it is usually necessary for a purchaser’s attorney to raise “requisitions” in respect of the title to a property, which can vary widely in nature, to ensure that areas of uncertainty and inconsistencies or defects in title are addressed by a seller or their counsel prior to closing.

The majority of purchasers or mortgagees rely upon Bahamian counsel to investigate title and provide a written legal opinion certifying the good and marketable nature of the title to be acquired or held as security before closing on the transaction. The opinion is backed by the firm’s professional indemnity insurance. However, title insurance is offered in The Bahamas by a number of title insurance agents representing major international title insurance companies, and the procedure to acquire insurance is usually handled by local counsel but is no different to what foreign buyers may be accustomed to in their home jurisdictions. In some cases, certain developers will provide only for title insurance to be issued to buyers under their purchase contracts and will not adduce title to a property or address requisitions, in order to streamline and expedite the sales process.

In The Bahamas, real estate purchase and sale agreements increasingly include basic representations and warranties by the parties, particularly in commercial real estate transactions, but this is subject to the nature of the transaction and the sophistication of the parties, and not all firms have adopted such practice. Given the relatively limited and rudimentary use of representations and warranties in commercial real estate transactions, representation and warranty insurance is not typically sought by the parties to the transaction.

A purchaser may have remedies commonly available under common law for misrepresentation or breach of agreed representations/warranties. In the absence of agreed seller disclosures, representations and warranties, the representations and warranties of a seller are limited under Bahamian law and generally relate to implied covenants for title only (regarding the right to convey, quiet enjoyment, freedom from incumbrance, and further assurance).

In general, where representations and warranties are included in commercial real estate transactions it is not typical for them to be time limited, nor for the seller’s liability to be subject to any cap.

The general position under Bahamian law, and a matter of good commercial local practice, is that the buyer must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for intended use and purpose of the land they intend to purchase before proceeding and carry out all the necessary due diligence it would be prudent to undertake.

While obtaining general guidance on Bahamian real estate law and contracts is important, an investor should ensure that they are advised on:

• how closing and carrying costs may arise (whether as taxes or additional fees);
• the preferable structure for the holding of title to their property (and how this may interplay with estate planning or exchange control considerations);
• how zoning or planning may affect desired development plans;
• in the case of non-Bahamians, the regulatory requirements for owning and developing real estate or operating a business in The Bahamas; and
• in the case of non-Bahamians interested in establishing immigration status in The Bahamas by virtue of their purchase and investment, the considerations to be understood in planning and co-ordinating these two goals.

The environmental liability laws of The Bahamas are contained in various statutes, but the Environmental Health Services Act, 1987 and the Environmental Planning and Protection Act, 2019 are of primary importance. Generally, the environmental laws are not onerous and seek to hold liable the person responsible for any environmental damage.

A buyer of real estate in which there is soil pollution or environmental contamination may (practically speaking, as much as legally speaking) inherit the responsibility of remediating pre-existing environmental issues. However, Section 28 of the Environmental Planning and Protection Act, 2019 provides that the liability for historical pollution is imposed on any person found to have polluted the environment before the Act came into force on 20 January 2020; many of the Act’s administrative provisions have not yet been fully implemented, and the provisions imposing duties of care or liability have not yet been tested in practical application and effect. It remains to be seen (but certainly appears that it might be the case) whether environmental liability and remediation costs may be borne by a prior landowner under Section 28, notwithstanding that they had subsequently disposed of or sold the land to a third-party purchaser, or whether such liability would simply be inherited by a successor in title or the current owner of the damaged or polluted land.

There are a number of Bahamian statutes that include provisions relating to the development and use of land but, generally speaking, development, planning, zoning and land use regulations are set out in the Planning and Subdivision Act, 2010 (P&S Act) and related subsidiary legislation.

The P&S Act contemplates that a “Land Use Plan” shall be adopted for each island in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; work on developing those plans is underway, but is as yet unfinished. In the interim, it is standard practice for a buyer who wishes to ascertain the permitted uses of a parcel of real estate under applicable zoning or planning law to contact the Town Planning Committee in the Department of Physical Planning for confirmation of the permitted or zoned use of that property under historic zoning orders or the current non-statutory land use plans.

Approvals in Principle

Where a purchaser has development plans in mind for a parcel of land, the securing of requisite approvals (or, more often, “approvals in principle”) from the Town Planning Committee to facilitate the development, operation and management of the desired activity on that land would be a condition for closing the purchase transaction. The issuance of further project-specific final approvals from the Town Planning Committee would often be undertaken following completion of the purchase.

Such approval in principle is often sought from the highest levels of government in the purchase and development approval process and covered in a buyer’s or developer’s application to the National Economic Council and Bahamas Investment Authority (see 2.11 Legal Restrictions on Foreign Investors). In the case of major development projects, the buyer/developer and The Bahamas government will often enter into written and signed “Heads of Agreement” confirming approved uses, permitted development plans and related matters.

The Bahamian constitution protects private property rights. The Bahamian government’s powers or rights of condemnation, expropriation or compulsory purchase (referred to as “compulsory acquisition” in The Bahamas) are limited and can only be exercised strictly in accordance with relevant statute law, as follows:

• under the Acquisition of Land Act, 1913, land may be compulsorily acquired for public purposes and subject to the process set forth in the Act;
• under the Proceeds of Crime Act, 2018, confiscation orders may be issued where property was acquired or gifted with proceeds from illegal activities;
• under the Environmental Planning and Protection Act, 2019, administrative orders may be issued to halt or prevent environmental damage;
• under the Real Property Tax Act, the public treasurer has the power to sell certain land where annual property taxes are in arrears; and
• under the Building Regulations Act, 1971, the minister responsible for building regulations has the power to condemn and/or destroy unsafe or derelict structures.

Generally speaking, all sales and transfers of land between third parties, whether direct or indirect, attract VAT payable to the Public Treasury under the Value Added Tax Act (VAT Act).

VAT on a transaction is calculated on either the consideration paid for the property or the fair market value of the property, whichever is greater. The fair market value may be determined by an appraisal from a professional valuer, or is taken as the assessed value for real property tax purposes, if higher. The rate of VAT payable on the sale and purchase of land depends upon whether the conveyance is made to an Bahamian or a foreign person. Conveyances to a Bahamian individual or a permanent resident with the right to work in The Bahamas are calculated on a sliding scale of 2.5% for transactions valued at less than BSD100,000 up to 10% for transactions over BSD1 million. In the case of a foreign person, company or other entity, all transactions are charged at 10%.

It is customary for a buyer and seller to agree in a typical sale and purchase transaction to share the payment of the applicable tax equally, but this is a business decision for the parties and not required by law.

The transfer of shares of a land-owning company (or its parent) similarly attracts VAT and, under the Value Added Tax (Supply of Real Property) (General) Rules, 2023, any real property owned by a land-owning company is deemed to be transferred in the same proportion of value as the interest transferred/acquired in the land-owning company.

There are certain exempt (or rather, “zero-rated″) transfers of real estate, or transfers that may be eligible for partial exemptions. These include certain voluntary intra-family transfers, corporate intra-group transfers, estate planning transfers, purchases and mortgages by first-time homeowners, and transfers of residential mortgages.

In the case of financing transactions (including purchase or construction financing), under the VAT Act a debenture or mortgage that secures a monetary obligation also attracts VAT at a rate of 1% of the monetary obligation secured.

While foreign direct investment in targeted sectors of the economy is generally encouraged in The Bahamas and successive government administrations have supported and facilitated it, such investment is also regulated, and foreign investors and purchasers must obtain government approvals that differ in nature and process, depending (in the case of real estate-related investments) on the type of purchaser, the land to be acquired and the intended development or use planned for the land.

The Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) and the National Economic Council (NEC)

Applications for requisite approvals are submitted to the BIA, a government department based in the office of the prime minister. Applications for approval of major investment or development projects are considered by the NEC, a non-statutory committee within the BIA that is comprised of the prime minister, members of the cabinet of The Bahamas government and other senior policy advisers. Once an application is approved by the NEC/BIA, all other approvals required from other departments and agencies will follow (subject to compliance with the further necessary steps and procedures).

The International Persons Landholding Act (IPL Act)

International Persons Landholding Permit

In the case of land transactions (other than one-off purchases of residences or vacation homes), a foreign purchaser must obtain an “International Persons Landholding Permit” in respect of the land they intend to acquire, in accordance with the IPL Act. The application is made to a government department called the Investments Board. Where a permit is required under the IPL Act, it must be obtained as a condition for closing on the purchase transaction; in the absence of obtaining it, a buyer’s conveyance would be deemed null and void in law.

Certificate of Registration

Where a foreigner is purchasing real estate for single-family residential use only (whether for long-term use or for periodic use as a vacation home), under the IPL Act the purchaser does not have to obtain a permit as a condition for completion and may simply register their purchase of the land following the closing of the transaction and the payment of the tax on the transaction. The purchaser is issued a “Certificate of Registration‟ in such instances.

One-time fee payment

In either case, the permit or certificate obtained by the foreign purchaser is attached to their title deed when it is lodged for recording in the Registry of Records and recorded with it. The current one-time fee due to the Public Treasury for a permit or certificate is USD1,000.

The manner in which commercial real estate transactions are financed can vary widely, depending on the size of the project and loan, and the parties involved.

In The Bahamas, well-established licensed local banks and financial institutions that offer traditional financing for projects of all types and commercial banking options, or that often act as security trustees, have a very strong presence.

In addition, The Bahamas government has historically also permitted the financing of local commercial projects by international lenders, subject to exchange control regulations and the usual vetting and approval procedures for foreign investors. Where a foreign lender intends to advance a loan and hold Bahamian real estate as security for it, an application is made to the Investments Board for a mortgagee’s landholding permit to be issued under the IPL Act, and to the Central Bank of The Bahamas for the requisite approvals to be issued to the lender under the Bahamian Exchange Control Regulations.

Major Transactions, Including Syndicated Lenders

In major financing transactions, where there may be a group of syndicated lenders, a collateral trust would often be established and the mortgages, security instruments and other Bahamian collateral securing the loan would not be held directly by any lender but would be held by a specially formed Bahamian security trustee as a collateral agent for the named beneficiaries of the trust from time to time. The trustee of the collateral trust is typically a Bahamian company that holds an unrestricted Banking and Trust Licence in The Bahamas. Quite often, it is preferred for the collateral trustee to hold the trust assets under the collateral trust in a wholly owned special purpose Bahamian International Business Company, the issued shares of which would constitute the corpus of the collateral trust, with the company, in turn, holding the security instruments.

Forms of security for financing the acquisition and development of commercial real estate can vary widely, but the most common forms of security include:

• legal charges;
• debentures (by companies);
• legal or equitable mortgages;
• pledges/charges over shares of a land-owning company or its parent;
• assignments of rent or other revenue;
• assignments of insurance;
• promissory notes; and
• corporate or personal guarantees.

The Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, 1909

Under this act, a legal mortgage of real property, personal property and fixtures has the effect of conveying and transferring title to the lender, leaving the borrower with an equitable right to redeem the mortgage by payment of the mortgage debt.

The Companies Act, 1992 and the International Business Companies Act, 2000

Under these acts, a company may by debenture charge real property and specific personal property by way of legal mortgage and create a first priority floating charge on all other present and future assets and undertakings (including intangibles), which would crystallise in the event of default.

A legal mortgage or debenture must be made or issued as a deed, and should be recorded in the Registry of Records in order to preserve priority against subsequent encumbrances.

Investments Board Permits

While a lender is not required to hold a bank or trust licence in order to lend money to an entity based in The Bahamas, a foreign lender intending to acquire an interest in real estate as a mortgagee by virtue of a legal mortgage must obtain a permit from the Investments Board under the IPL Act. A legal mortgage is deemed to be null and void in law in the absence of such a permit.

As with the granting of a permit to a foreign purchaser of real estate, a permit granted to a lender is transaction-specific, but such permits are routinely issued by the Investments Board upon submission of a completed application and standard due diligence.

Exchange Control Department Approvals

In addition, as required by the Exchange Control Regulations Act (which regulates transactions between “resident‟ and “non-resident‟ entities), a lender (whether deemed to be “resident‟ or “non-resident‟ for exchange control purposes) will have to obtain certain approvals from the Exchange Control Department of the Central Bank of The Bahamas in order to lend money in foreign currency, including to a Domestic Company or an International Business Company (IBC) that is deemed to be “resident‟ for exchange control purposes. Such exchange control approvals typically also include the lender obtaining confirmation from the Central Bank that, upon drawdown of the loan by the borrower, the lender will be granted “approved loan status‟ (also referred to as “approved investment status‟) in order for the lender to receive repayments in foreign currency from the borrower.

Subject to the pre-closing approvals mentioned above, a lender is not required to obtain any further government approvals to facilitate a proposed loan transaction or to seek government approval in respect of any of the remedies the lender may wish to exercise in respect of its security (other than judicial approvals).

Registration as a Foreign Company

It should be noted that, as a matter of policy rather than law, the Investments Board requires a foreign entity (whether a lender or a purchaser) that intends to acquire an interest in real estate in The Bahamas to register as a foreign company under the Companies Act of The Bahamas as a condition for obtaining a certificate or permit from the Board.

Under the VAT Act, a debenture or mortgage that secures a monetary obligation would attract VAT at a rate of 1% of the monetary obligation secured. Where additional security is granted in respect of the same loan and the principal instrument attracts tax at a rate of 1%, no tax is charged on the collateral security documents provided that they are submitted for stamping at the same time. The industry standard is for applicable tax and related closing costs to be paid by the borrower.

There are no rules or requirements that must be complied with before an entity can give valid security, except for the government approvals noted in 3.1 Financing Acquisitions of Commercial Real Estate and the matters of general law which specify the following, where a party is a corporate entity:

• the proposed loan transaction and granting of security are completed in accordance with the corporate governance requirements; and
• where a corporate guarantee is given as security, the giving of the guarantee is considered as having reasonably been in the interests of the guarantor and done with commercial justification.

A legal mortgage over real property in The Bahamas has the effect of conveying title to a lender, and under Bahamian law a lender may do the following, in the event of default by the borrower:

• exercise its power of sale of the property to a third-party purchaser without judicial sanction;
• seek (voluntarily, and not by requirement of law) judicial sanction of the sale of the property to a third-party purchaser; or
• apply to the courts for a Foreclosure Order, which would extinguish the borrower’s right to redeem the mortgage and result in absolute ownership by the lender.

Under the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, 1909, a lender is entitled to exercise the power of sale (the most common and expedient remedy used by lenders) under one of the following circumstances:

• notice requiring payment of the mortgage money has been served on the borrower, and default has been made in payment of the mortgage money, or of part thereof, for three months after such service;
• some interest under the mortgage is in arrears and unpaid for two months after becoming due; or
• there has been a breach in observing or performing some provision contained in the mortgage deed or in the Act, on the part of the borrower or of some person who agreed to arrange the mortgage, other than and besides a covenant for payment of the mortgage money or interest thereon.

Formal written notice of default is required to be served under any mortgage, and the notice period would be stipulated in the mortgage. It is also not uncommon for a mortgage to stipulate shorter default timelines in substitution for the above provisions of the Act, although, in the case of mortgaged properties that constitute a borrower’s primary residence, certain required procedures and minimum notice periods must be complied with under the Homeowners Protection Act, 2017.

A legal mortgage or debenture should be recorded in the Registry of Records in order to preserve priority against subsequent encumbrances. It is possible for a secured lender with senior priority, as a commercial business decision, to contractually agree to subordinate its debt and/or a newly created debt to another lender. A subsequent action for foreclosure can be brought by any lender of property, whether it is the first or subsequent lender.

A freehold or leasehold mortgagee who is not in possession would not be liable for environmental damage, provided that the mortgagee has not itself caused damage to the property. Where a mortgagee is responsible for the actual damage, they would be liable for the remediation costs and fines.

Valid security interests created in favour of a lender do not become void if the borrower becomes insolvent, and a lender may exercise the remedies granted under a debenture or mortgage (see 3.6 Formalities When a Borrower Is in Default), regardless of the borrower’s solvency. Typically, a properly drawn mortgage would reflect that the insolvency of the borrower (or the commencement of such proceedings that are not subsequently stayed) would be deemed to be an act of default and entitle the lender to exercise its remedies under the mortgage.

Following the expiry of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), local commercial banks took measures (where necessary) to address and agree the use of alternative reference rates with their customers. However, a large majority of domestic lending transactions are calculated by reference to the domestic bank’s prime lending rate and have not been impacted by the expiration of the LIBOR index.

A number of Bahamian statutes include provisions relating to the development and use of land but, generally speaking, development, planning, zoning and land-use regulations are set out in the P&S Act and related regulations (see 2.8 Permitted Uses of Real Estate Under Zoning or Planning Law).

The P&S Act provides the overall structure for the administration of development, planning and zoning matters by the Department of Physical Planning, the Town Planning Committee and related subcommittees and appeal boards. The P&S Act also provides for:

• the establishment of land-use plans, zoning plans, development controls, environmental controls and related by-laws;
• the requisite approvals that must be obtained in respect of proposed developments; and
• the process for obtaining such approvals.

All manner of development matters fall within the purview of the Department of Physical Planning under the P&S Act, ranging from minor lot or parcel-specific boundary line adjustments and setbacks to the planning of major resort and marina development projects.

In the case of significant development projects or projects that may affect coastal, wetland or other environmentally sensitive areas, the BIA and the Department of Physical Planning work in close conjunction with the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) when reviewing development applications. In connection with proposed development projects, the DEPP reviews and provides commentary on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and environmental management plans (EMPs), and issues a Certificate of Environmental Clearance as a required precondition to the commencement of any development project.

Other environmental agencies that are often involved in elements of a major purchase or development project include:

• the Ministry of the Environment and Housing, which has responsibility for protecting and conserving the health and sustainability of the natural environment in The Bahamas;
• the Ministry of Public Works and Utilities, which has responsibility for overseeing and maintaining public roads and other physical infrastructure of The Bahamas, and (together with the Ministry of the Environment) for administration and enforcement of The Bahamas Building Code (“the Code‟);
• the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government, which has responsibility for leases of agricultural land and (together with the Fisheries Department) managing the fisheries industry and protected marina areas;
• the Department of Environmental Health Services, which has responsibility under the Environmental Health Act, 1987 and related regulations for the protection of public health, certain environmental controls, waste collection, sanitation and landfill operations;
• the Bahamas Public Parks & Public Beaches Authority, which has responsibility for public parks, beaches and recreational areas;
• the Forestry Unit, which has responsibility under the Forestry Act, 2010 for certain forested areas, parks and protected areas, and for relations with non-government organisations;
• the Bahamas National Trust, which is a non-profit quasi-government agency responsible for conserving and protecting the natural and historic resources of The Bahamas and its ecosystems, and for establishing and managing the country’s numerous national parks;
• the Antiquities, Monuments, and Museum Corporation, which is a non-profit quasi-government agency responsible for protecting, preserving and promoting the historic cultural resources of The Bahamas;
• the Bahamas National Geographic and Information Systems Department, which is responsible for oil and natural gas exploration and regulation, alternative and renewable energy, and aragonite mining; and
• the Water and Sewerage Corporation, a statutory corporation responsible for the management of the country’s water resources.

Construction in The Bahamas is regulated under the P&S Act and the Building Regulations Act, 1971, supplemented by the Code. The purpose of the Code is to provide certain minimum standards, provisions and requirements for safe and stable building design, methods of construction and uses of materials.

A building permit issued by the Building Control Department of the Ministry of Works is generally required for all new construction, additions and alterations (including decks, sheds, retaining walls and fences), and must be obtained prior to the commencement of such work.

The Town Planning Committee of the Department of Physical Planning is responsible for regulating the development and designated use of individual parcels of real estate under the P&S Act. In the case of “Out Islands‟ (islands in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas other than New Providence Island), certain functions and powers of the Town Planning Committee may be delegated to District Councils under the Local Government Act, 1996.

The P&S Act provides the regulatory framework for new developments, major refurbishments or changes of use of a developed property, and no development of land is permitted without the appropriate approval.

Application Process

All applications relating to the development of properties in a zoned area are to be submitted to the director and must be in the form stipulated in the Planning and Subdivision Act (Application Requirements) Regulations, 2011. An applicant must also post “Development Application Signs‟ and give notice of the pending development application in accordance with the Planning and Subdivision Act (Public Notice) Regulations, 2011.

The Town Planning Committee (“the Committee‟) then holds public hearings to engage public consultation on development projects, and provides notice of such meetings. Within seven days of its eventual decision, the Committee must give written notice of such to the applicant and each person who made a written request to be notified. In reply to an application (eg, for site plan control), the Committee may then grant a Preliminary Support of Application, with such conditions or amendments as deemed appropriate.

Rights of Third Parties

Interested third parties have the right to attend the public hearing and express their views (whether in support or opposition). Upon request, an interested third party may have the Department of Physical Planning make any application available for public review during normal business hours. An interested third party may – in support of or opposition to a development application – tender written submissions to the department prior to a public hearing, or make oral or written submissions to the Committee at a public hearing.

The decision of the Town Planning Committee under the P&S Act is final and binding, unless it is appealed to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (“Appeal Board‟) within 21 days after making the decision.

A party aggrieved by a decision of the Committee may appeal to the Appeal Board, including against any decisions by the Committee relating to a development application including the Committee’s decision to extinguish the effect of a restrictive covenant. The right of appeal lies not only with the applicant but also with any person who has an interest in the matter.

An appeal to the Appeal Board must be conducted in accordance with the relevant regulations (the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Rules, 2011). No development or building may proceed on any land that is the subject of an appeal to the Appeal Board.

The decision of the Appeal Board is final and binding, unless an appeal is made to the Supreme Court within 21 days of the decision being reached. An appeal to the Supreme Court may only be based upon a point of law, and not on any matter of fact or the merits of any decision by the Appeal Board.

It is worth noting that, in recent years, non-compliance with the requirements and procedures set forth in the P&S Act and regulations, and procedural impropriety, have become the grounds for a number of successful judicial review actions, some of which have been ultimately appealed to the Privy Council (at considerable cost). With that in mind, a developer would be well-served to ensure that careful regard is given to the process and requirements of the P&S Act, to safeguard themselves against the potential risk of opponents to the development later finding a foothold for overturning approvals that may have been hard-sought.

A purchaser or developer intending to carry out a major development project will often enter into written and signed “Heads of Agreement‟ with The Bahamas government to agree and confirm approved uses, permitted development plans and related matters (which may include a range of additional licences, permits, consents or sub-approvals that are necessary to facilitate the successful acquisition, development and management of the project, and which may also include special exemptions, concessions or incentives to be granted to the developer under the Hotels Encouragement Act, 1954 or otherwise).

Developers of major projects may also need to secure utility franchise agreements from the local utility statutory corporations and, at the time of applying for acquisition and development approvals, might seek approval-in-principle from the NEC/BIA for the right to enter into such agreements.

The failure to adhere to and observe restrictions on development and designated use may result in fines under the P&S Act. The minister responsible for the environment has certain statutory powers to access and inspect premises to ensure that such matters are complied with, and to investigate non-compliance. This may also result in an action for judicial review or for an injunction against works or activities being brought by private citizens.

The following entities are predominantly used by investors in The Bahamas to hold title to real estate:

• a “Domestic Company‟ (also often referred to as a “Local Company‟) incorporated under the Companies Act, 1992, which is the preferred entity used by Bahamian investors;
• a Bahamian IBC incorporated under the International Business Company Act, 2000, which is the preferred entity used by non-Bahamian investors; or
• a foreign corporation (eg, a US limited liability corporation) that is registered as a “Foreign Company‟ with the Bahamas Companies Registry.

Domestic Company

A Domestic Company has limited liability (unless it is formed specifically as an unlimited liability company) and may carry on any business in, or from within, The Bahamas.

A Domestic Company will be designated as “resident‟ for exchange control purposes under the Exchange Control Regulations if it owns land in The Bahamas or carries on business in the domestic economy, or if the beneficial owner is Bahamian or a work-permit holder or a permanent resident with the right to work.

A Domestic Company can only maintain foreign currency accounts with the prior permission of the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

IBC

An IBC is a limited liability company that may carry on business in any part of the world and is primarily intended to operate outside The Bahamas. To conduct business in or from within The Bahamas, an IBC requires certain government regulatory approvals. An IBC is restricted from carrying on business with persons (corporate and individual) resident in The Bahamas, unless they are designated “resident‟ for exchange control purposes; where that is desired in connection with the intended or pending purchase of real estate, an application for the appropriate designation of a land-owning IBC would customarily be made in the course of the transaction.

No information has been provided in this jurisdiction.

The authorised capital of an IBC may be divided into shares of a fixed amount, but IBCs may also have shares of no par value. Common shares, preference shares, redeemable shares or any combination thereof are permitted, but only registered shares are permitted; bearer shares are not permitted. Generally, the preferred minimum authorised capital is USD5,000 divided into 5,000 shares of USD1 par value each.

Similarly, the majority of Domestic Companies are incorporated with an authorised share capital of USD5,000 divided into 5,000 ordinary shares of USD1 each, although other options and amounts are available, and these can be tailored to meet the requirements of the investor.

Every IBC must have a registered agent and maintain a registered office in The Bahamas. An IBC may have a sole director and/or a sole shareholder. The appointment of officers is optional. The powers and objectives of an IBC are typically to engage in any activities that are not prohibited under any law in force in The Bahamas.

A Domestic Company must also have a local registered office. The company must have a minimum of two directors, two shareholders, a president and a secretary.

The constitutional documents of both an IBC and a Domestic Company (ie, the memorandum and articles of association) determine the powers of its board of directors and officers, and the management of the affairs of the company’s operations and business.

For an IBC, the annual government fees are determined based on the authorised share capital. Where the authorised share capital for one year does not exceed USD50,000, the fee is USD365; where the authorised share capital exceeds USD50,000, the fee is USD1,030.

For a Domestic Company, the annual government fees are determined based on beneficial ownership. A government fee of USD350 per year is payable for companies beneficially owned by Bahamians, and USD1,000 a year is payable for companies owned by non-Bahamians.

For a non-Bahamian Company registered in the Bahamas Companies Registry as a Foreign Company, the annual government fee payable to the registrar general (not in the year of registration) is USD1,000.

For all companies mentioned here, professional fees are typically also payable to the financial and corporate service provider in connection with the maintenance of the company and registered agent/office services.

The occupation and use of a property may be established in The Bahamas without outright ownership under a lease or a licence.

Under a Bahamian lease, a tenant is contractually granted the right of exclusive possession of a property for a specified period, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement and the rents thereby secured. Under a licence, an owner grants permission to a licensee for the use and occupation of a property. However, unlike a tenant under a lease, the licensee does not have exclusive possession or proprietary rights to the property.

Standardised forms of commercial leases have not yet been adopted and agreed for use in The Bahamas. While the preferred forms of lease agreement used are generally comparable and similar in style and content, there may also be wide variation between those used by smaller local developers or landlords and those used in larger resort, tourist or commercial complexes, which require more sophisticated provisions.

Lease agreements and the terms between the parties are freely negotiable and subject to contract. Certain limited covenants are implied by the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, 1909, but the material commercial terms are open to agreement between the parties.

In July 2019, The Bahamas government overhauled the tax regime for real estate transactions and made leases (along with many other real estate transactions) subject to VAT. The tax treatment of leases varies depending upon the length of the term of the lease, with leases for five years or more (other than leases of dwellings) attracting VAT on both the capital sum payable for the lease and the periodic rent payments (with the VAT payable on periodic rent payments only being able to be claimed as an input tax deduction).

Under a typical Bahamian lease agreement, the following is generally industry standard:

• the tenant is responsible for repairing the leased premises;
• the landlord insures and maintains the building and the common parts; and
• rent and additional charges (such as common area maintenance charges and/or utility charges) are paid monthly or quarterly, and generally in advance.

The variation of rent is freely negotiable and subject to the contractual agreement of the parties. Well-drawn commercial leases often make provisions for rent to be reviewed or updated at a certain agreed stage or date but, practically speaking and more commonly, the issue is addressed when the lease falls due for renewal.

There is no legal or regulatory restriction governing the agreement between the parties of how new rent may be calculated. The industry standard commonly used is that increases are in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or a pre-agreed percentage.

Under the VAT Act, leases are subject to the payment of VAT unless exempted.

The rental of a “dwelling” (meaning a building or premises intended to be used as a place of residence or abode of a natural person) is exempt from VAT. However, for vacation homes that are rented or let for a continuous period not exceeding 45 days, VAT is payable at a rate of 10% on all rentals by non-Bahamians, and on rentals above the VAT threshold of BSD100,000 by Bahamians. 10% VAT is payable on all rentals made through an online marketplace like Airbnb, HomeAway or Vrbo. There is a mandatory VAT registration requirement for foreign homeowners who intend to rent their property as a vacation home.

A long-term lease (ie, a lease of property other than a dwelling for five or more years) attracts VAT at a rate of 2.5% where the value is under BSD100,000 and otherwise at 10%. In addition, VAT is payable at the rate of 10% on all periodic rent payments. A lease-to-own contract attracts VAT on each stage or interim payment.

A short-term lease or tenancy agreement of property (other than a dwelling) for under five years attracts VAT of 10% on the periodic rent payments.

At the start of a lease, the tenant would customarily pay the applicable VAT (see 6.7 Payment of VAT) and a security deposit, which is usually equivalent to one month’s rent. Registrar general recording fees (USD4.50 per page) are paid if the parties opt to record the agreement, but that practice tends to be quite rare.

Areas of a commercial premises that are used by more than one tenant are generally maintained by the landlord or their property manager, and the tenants pay a proportionate reimbursement of the cost incurred or a pre-agreed common area maintenance charge.

A number of larger commercial or tourist developments have been structured as multi-use condominiums with residential and commercial elements, or have master declarations of restrictions, covenants and conditions that contemplate mixed-use. In such cases, common area costs would usually be apportioned and charged to tenants as condominium assessments or maintenance fees/charges.

In general, utility charges would be paid by the landlord or their property manager, and a tenant would reimburse the monthly charges incurred. Where a leased area is not separately metered from other areas occupied or used by the landlord or other tenants, it is common for a tenant to contract to pay a fixed pre-agreed monthly amount or their pro rata share of common area maintenance charges. That said, it is also often possible for a tenant to set up a tenant service account in its own name and pay utility charges directly to the service provider.

While subject to contract and the agreement of the parties, it is generally the industry standard that the landlord is responsible for insuring the building and common parts and that the tenant must insure the leased area. The risks that are typically insured against include fire, earthquake, hurricane, flood and civil commotion. Business interruption insurance is very uncommon in The Bahamas, and it is exceedingly rare for a tenant to hold such a policy.

It is common for a standard form of commercial lease to include various restrictions governing the use of the leased real estate. In addition, restrictive covenants and conditions to which the real estate is subject would usually be acknowledged, observed and performed by a tenant, as well as any property-specific town planning or zoning restrictions.

Unless the tenant is contractually obliged to complete certain works or improvements, it is industry standard for a tenant to be prohibited from making alterations or improvements to the leased real estate without the prior approval of the landlord.

Certain business leases or letting agreements by which a non-Bahamian acquires an interest in real estate in The Bahamas and which are over 21 years in duration are required to be registered with the Investments Board, and a Certificate of Registration must be obtained in accordance with the International Persons Landholding Act, 1993. A non-Bahamian tenant would also require a business licence issued by the Business Licence Department and all other immigration approvals and other regulatory permits or approvals that may be necessary in order to operate a commercial enterprise or undertaking on the leased commercial premises.

It is a common feature of standard commercial leases that a landlord has the right to terminate the lease in the event of the insolvency of the tenant.

In the case of bankruptcy, a landlord or other person to whom any rent is due from a bankrupt tenant may seize the goods or effects of the bankrupt tenant for the rent due to them at any time, either before or after the commencement of the bankruptcy. However, if such distress for rent is levied after the commencement of the bankruptcy, the landlord is only able to recover one year’s rent accrued prior to the date of the order of adjudication. The landlord may apply under the bankruptcy for the balance due, for which distraint may not have been available. A landlord is not permitted to seize goods or effects of a bankrupt tenant held in trust for any other person, nor to seize the tools of the bankrupt’s trade and the necessary wearing apparel and bedding of the bankrupt, their spouse and children.

It is standard in The Bahamas for a landlord to require a security deposit to be paid at the outset of a lease (usually equivalent to one month’s rent), and for the first and last months’ rent to be paid in advance. The lease agreement would provide that the security deposit may be forfeited in the event of default or damage. In addition, under the laws of The Bahamas, a landlord may distrain against the tenant’s goods, chattels and effects to recover arrears of rent.

Hold-over provisions that speak to the continued occupation of a tenant beyond the expiration of the agreed term, with the consent of the landlord, are common in standard lease agreements. In the absence of such provisions and the landlord’s consent, the tenant has no security or right of occupation under Bahamian law. A tenant in continued occupation would be deemed to occupy the leased real estate with the consent of the landlord on a periodic tenancy under the same conditions as those of the expired lease (insofar as applicable to a periodic tenancy).

While the parties can freely negotiate their desired terms between themselves, it is unusual for a tenant to be permitted to assign its leasehold interest in the lease or to sublet all or a portion of the leased premises. Where that is permitted, it is usually subject to the express and prior written consent of the landlord.

Under a typical lease agreement, the parties would usually enter into covenants to be observed and performed by a landlord or tenant respectively; failure to observe or perform such covenant may entitle a party to terminate a lease. A lease may also typically be terminated by either the landlord or the tenant if the leased real estate is substantially destroyed or damaged and not repaired within a specified period.

As noted in 6.14 Specific Regulations, a non-Bahamian tenant may have an obligation to register long-term leases in excess of 21 years with the Investments Board under the International Persons Landholding Act, 1993. Except for such long-term leases, there is no requirement to obtain government approval to lease real estate, nor to record the lease in the Registry of Records. Parties predominantly elect not to record leases (whether commercial or residential), unless they represent or comprise part of a very significant investment and are long term in nature.

A standard lease would have provisions entitling the landlord to evict the tenant in certain instances. A tenant that alleges wrongful distress or eviction may commence an action to seek relief and defend their interest in the real estate and to the right of possession. The tenant may often also seek an interlocutory injunction to restrain the landlord’s action in the interim, until the matter can be brought to trial. Given the steps involved in such applications and that a hearing is dependent on the court’s calendar, the timeline of an eviction process can vary considerably.

The Bahamas government or any other third party cannot terminate a lease agreement between private parties, except when exercising the governmental rights and powers noted in 2.9 Condemnation, Expropriation or Compulsory Purchase, which must be exercised in accordance with statute law and (in the case of compulsory acquisition) with suitable compensation being paid to a landowner or occupier.

No details have been provided concerning remedies/damages for breach in The Bahamas.

There is no commonly accepted market standard of contract, so parties are free to agree terms as they see fit, with the format and complexity of the contract often being driven by the sophistication of the parties, the type of project and the third-party consultants required by the customer (eg, independent certifying architects, quantity surveyors or project managers).

However, most larger construction contracts will typically follow a US style (such as that of the American Institute of Architects), a UK style (such as that of the joint contracts tribunal), a combination of the two, or even the contractor’s (or developer’s) own standard terms.

See 7.1 Common Structures Used to Price Construction Projects.

See 7.1 Common Structures Used to Price Construction Projects.

See 7.1 Common Structures Used to Price Construction Projects.

It is possible, albeit rare, for owners to require formal guarantees or other additional forms of security as surety for a contractor’s performance on a project. Such matters predominantly arise in the case of pre-construction condominiums, particularly those being developed by a developer/owner that is also the construction company or directly affiliated with it. In such projects, letters of credit or performance bonds from a financial institution are generally relied upon, rather than other forms of security.

Under Bahamian law, contractors and/or designers are not permitted to lien or otherwise encumber a property in the event of non-payment. A contractor seeking to recover payment of a debt due would be required to enforce their contractual rights by commencing an action against the owner/customer in the Supreme Court of The Bahamas (or such other jurisdiction contractually agreed between the parties to be the appropriate forum for disputes) and obtaining a judgment against that debtor party.

Before use or inhabitation, a Certificate of Occupancy must be issued under the Building Regulations Act, 1971. The certificate is issued by the building control officer upon being satisfied that a building operation has been completed in accordance with the building permit issued by the Ministry of Works, and it certifies that the building is fit for occupation and use.

As noted in 2.10 Taxes Applicable to a Transaction, all sales and transfers of land between third parties, whether direct or indirect, attract VAT payable to the Public Treasury under the VAT Act, except for certain, specifically exempted transactions.

In a typical sale and purchase transaction, it is customary for a buyer and seller to agree to share the payment of the applicable tax equally, but this is a business decision for the parties and is not required by law. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, the liability under the VAT Act to pay VAT falls jointly and severally on the supplier and the recipient of the real estate.

The VAT payable on supplies/sale of real estate (charged at 10%) may not be accounted for as input tax deductions.

As a matter of general good commercial practice by prudent buyers, and particularly in large purchase transactions, it may be advantageous for a purchase transaction to be structured as a “net‟ sale rather than a “gross‟ sale, as this can help to mitigate the amount of tax payable in respect of the transaction.

Municipal taxes are not payable in The Bahamas, but operating businesses are required to hold a business licence and pay annual business licence fees. In July 2023, under the Business License Act 2023 foreign persons who wish to rent their properties are required to register for a Bahamian business licence.

Business licence fees may be paid in instalments which must be paid by the following dates:

• 31 March;
• 30 June;
• 30 September; and
• 31 December.

Failing notification to the Financial Secretary, the amount owed must be paid in full by 31 March.

Where VAT is payable, a VAT return must be filed within 21 days after the end of each tax period. Fines may be imposed for late filing which may be up to 2% of the tax owed and in instances of late or non-payment, 10% of the tax owed.

In addition, all real estate in The Bahamas is subject to real property tax, unless specifically exempted, and business premises are charged tax at a commercial rate.

Pursuant to the Real Property Tax (Amendment) Act 2023, directors of landholding companies are jointly and severally liable to pay the real property tax owed by the company. A director who fails to pay outstanding real property tax within a specified time may be liable for a fine of up to BSD30,000.

Furthermore, all units within a condo-hotel or a hotel rental pool are subject to the payment of a condo-hotel tax, unless the net VAT paid in respect of the unit exceeds the condo-hotel tax applicable to that unit. The condo-hotel tax is calculated at 75% of the rate of tax applicable to residential property (currently 0.625%) on the assessed value of each unit within the condo-hotel or hotel rental pool, up to a maximum amount of BSD150,000 per unit.

The Bahamas does not tax income or capital gains. However, rental income from real estate is subject to VAT, as outlined in 6.7 Payment of VAT.

There are no local tax benefits from owning real estate in The Bahamas.