Before buying a house

Updated on October 4, 2026

This checklist covers the points worth reviewing before committing to buy a house in Las Terrenas or elsewhere in the Dominican Republic. It is a general guide: it does not replace a review of your file by licensed professionals, who alone can confirm the property's situation.

General information, which does not constitute legal advice. For your own case, request a check.

Title and ownership

• Obtain a copy of the certificate of title and check that the registered owner matches the seller and their identity documents. — learn more
• Find out whether the document is a certificate of title for a parcel that has gone through deslinde or a constancia anotada. — learn more
• Request a recent certificate of legal status from the Registro de Títulos. — learn more
• Check for mortgages, oppositions, litigation or other annotations, and agree in writing how they will be cleared before the sale. — learn more
• If the seller is a company, an estate or several people, check with your lawyer who is authorised to sign and which consents are needed. — learn more

Land and boundaries

• Compare the cadastral designation and the area stated on the title with the plan and with the land you visit. — learn more
• Have a licensed surveyor check the boundaries and fences on the ground. — learn more
• Confirm that access to the property is via a public road or a properly established easement. — learn more
• If the house is near the sea or a river, check that neither the land nor the buildings encroach on the public domain. — learn more

Permits and construction

• Ask for the building permit and the approved plans, and compare them with the house as built. — learn more
• Identify extensions, pools or outbuildings added after the permit and ask whether they were regularised. — learn more
• Check that the permitted land use allows your intended use, especially if you plan to rent the house out. — learn more

Technical condition

• Have a licensed engineer or architect carry out a technical inspection: structure, cracks, damp and corrosion of the reinforcement. — learn more
• Check the roof, the waterproofing and rainwater drainage.
• Check the electrical installation, the water supply and the wastewater system.
• Look for signs of termites or other pests in woodwork and structural elements.

Taxes and charges

• Ask the seller for proof that they are up to date with the IPI, where this tax applies.
• Check that there are no unpaid electricity, water or rubbish collection bills, and no unpaid fees if the house is in a gated community.
• Ask your lawyer for an estimate of the transfer tax and closing costs before signing.

Contract and payment

• Before paying any deposit, include conditions tied to the outcome of the checks in the preliminary sale agreement.
• Pay by traceable means into an account whose holder is clearly identified in the contract.
• Confirm with your lawyer who will legalise the signatures and how the transfer will be registered with the Registro de Títulos.
• If you are buying as a foreigner, ask your lawyer to confirm the formalities that apply to your situation. — learn more