Practice area

Real estate law

The North Coast attracts buyers and investors from around the world. Buying with confidence requires verifying the title at the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry), understanding any liens, reviewing the contract, and understanding the taxes involved. The firm accompanies the transaction from the offer through to registration in the buyer's name.

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Attorneys of Estudio Jurídico Balbuena Camps at the firm's offices

The Dominican real estate system is registry-based: ownership is evidenced by the Certificado de Título (certificate of title) issued by the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry) under Law 108-05 on Real Property Registration. Condominiums are governed by Law 5038, and trust-based projects by Law 189-11. A secure purchase begins with verifying who holds registered title, whether any liens exist, and whether the survey matches what is being offered.

The firm accompanies buyers, sellers, developers, and condominium administrators in Puerto Plata, Sosúa, and Cabarete, with bilingual documentation whenever the procedure allows it.

Common situations

  • Buying a home, apartment, or lot

    Title verification, promise of sale, final contract, and registration with the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry).

  • Selling a property from abroad

    Powers of attorney, apostilles, and coordinating signing when the seller is not in the country.

  • Condominiums and management

    Bylaws, meetings, and disputes between co-owners under Law 5038.

  • Leases and evictions

    Lease agreements, deposits, and proceedings before the Control de Alquileres (Rent Control Office) and the courts.

How Balbuena Camps helps

  1. Complete due diligence

    Certification of legal status, review of the land survey, debts, liens, and the sellers' standing.

  2. Clear contracts

    We draft and negotiate promises of sale and final contracts, bilingual when appropriate.

  3. Closing and registration

    Payment of transfer taxes, filing with the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry), and follow-up through to the new certificate.

How the process works

  1. Title verification

    Requesting the certification of legal status of the property from the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry).

  2. Promise of sale

    Setting the price, timelines, conditions, and deposit.

  3. Final contract

    Signing before a notary and payment of the 3% transfer tax to the DGII.

  4. Registration

    Filing the file with the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry) and issuance of the certificate in the buyer's name.

Attorneys who handle this area

Where we serve

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign national buy property in the Dominican Republic?

Yes. There is no general restriction on the acquisition of real estate by foreign nationals; the documentary and tax requirements are the same as for nationals.

What is the certification of legal status?

It is the document issued by the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry) stating who owns the property and what liens or encumbrances affect it. It is the starting point for any secure purchase.

What taxes are paid when buying?

The real estate transfer tax is 3% of the property's value as assessed by the DGII, subject to applicable exemptions (for example, certain projects with tourism incentives or housing trusts).

Can a foreign national buy property in the Dominican Republic?

Yes. There is no general restriction on the acquisition of real estate by foreign nationals. The documentary and tax requirements are the same as for nationals, and the property is registered with the Registro de Títulos (Title Registry) in the buyer's name using their passport.

Related legal resources

  • Legal guideReal estate law

    Guide to buying property in the Dominican Republic

    A complete guide for domestic and foreign buyers: title verification, promise of sale contract, closing, taxes, and registration with the Registro de Títulos.

Sources and legal references

  1. Law 108-05 on Real Estate RegistrationLey 108-05 de 23 de marzo de 2005 de Registro Inmobiliario y sus reglamentos · Mar 22, 2005Citation pending verification
  2. Law 5038 on CondominiumsLey 5038 de 21 de noviembre de 1958 sobre Condominios · Nov 20, 1958Citation pending verification
  3. Law 189-11 on the Mortgage Market and TrustsLey 189-11 de 16 de julio de 2011 · Jul 15, 2011Citation pending verification
  4. Dominican Civil CodeCódigo Civil de la República DominicanaCitation pending verification
Legal review
Pending review by an attorney

The information on this page is general guidance. It is not individualised legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation should be assessed with an attorney.

Consultation

Buy or sell with legal certainty

Before signing a promise of sale or transferring funds, have the transaction reviewed by the firm.

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