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How property, construction and condominiums work in the Dominican Republic, explained clearly. Each article shows its date, its official sources and whether a Dominican lawyer has reviewed it yet.
General information, which does not constitute legal advice. For your own case, request a check.
Property and titles
See the topicHow the Dominican land registry works, which documents prove ownership and what to check before signing.
The Dominican land registry: how it works and what it means for buyers
The Dominican land registry is a public system in which rights over land and buildings are recorded. As a rule, what appears in the registry is …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Property and titlesCertificate of title vs constancia anotada: differences and risks
A certificate of title proves a registered right over an individualised property with its own cadastral designation. A constancia anotada proves a right over a portion …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Property and titlesDeslinde: what it is and why it matters before you buy
Deslinde is the technical and legal process that locates, measures and delimits a portion of land within a larger plot to turn it into an individualised …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Property and titlesThe certificate of legal status: what it reveals and how to read it
The certificate of legal status (certificación de estado jurídico) is a document issued by the Registro de Títulos showing a property's registry position on a given …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Property and titlesBuying property in Las Terrenas as a foreigner: what to plan for
As a rule, a foreigner can buy real estate in the Dominican Republic on terms similar to those of a Dominican buyer. The exact framework for …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Property and titlesSelling a house in Las Terrenas: preparing a solid file
Selling a property in Las Terrenas means being able to show that the title, plans, permits and taxes are in order. A file prepared and checked …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal reviewConstruction and permits
See the topicPermits to build or extend, licensed professionals, the coastal zone and the risks of unauthorised construction.
Building permit in the Dominican Republic: what you need to build or extend
Building or extending in the Dominican Republic generally requires several authorizations: the municipality's land-use approval, the building license from the ministry in charge of housing and …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Construction and permitsLawyer, notary, engineer, surveyor: licensed professionals in the Dominican Republic
A property purchase or a construction project in the Dominican Republic involves several licensed professionals, each with their own role and responsibility. Checking their registration with …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Construction and permitsCoastal zone in the Dominican Republic: public maritime domain and building restrictions
In the Dominican Republic, a strip of the coastline is public domain: in principle, it cannot be privately owned and construction there is restricted. The exact …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Construction and permitsBuilding codes in the Dominican Republic: earthquakes, hurricanes and technical inspection
In the Dominican Republic, buildings are generally required to comply with national technical regulations that take into account, among other things, earthquake risk and hurricane winds. …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review Construction and permitsUnpermitted construction in the Dominican Republic: risks and checks before you buy
Unauthorized construction is a building or extension put up without the required authorizations; non-compliant construction was authorized but built differently from the approved plans. In both …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal reviewCondominium
See the topicThe condominium regime, the bylaws, management, fees and what to check before buying an apartment.
Condo law in the Dominican Republic: private units, common areas and title
The condominium regime is the legal framework that divides a property into units held in exclusive ownership, with common areas shared by all owners. Once set …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review CondominiumCondo bylaws, administrator and owners' meeting: what to read before buying
The condominium bylaws are the set of rules that govern life in the condominium: use of the units and common areas, sharing of costs, decision-making and …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review CondominiumCondo fees, reserve fund and unpaid fees on the unit
Maintenance fees (cuotas de mantenimiento) are each owner's regular contributions to the condominium's shared costs. The reserve fund is a collective saving set aside for major …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal review CondominiumBuying an apartment in the Dominican Republic: what to check
Buying an apartment means checking both the unit (its title, legal status and technical condition) and the condominium it belongs to (regime, bylaws, fees, building permits). …
Updated on October 4, 2026Under legal reviewInvesting and avoiding pitfalls
See the topicTourism incentives, frequent problems and checklists to buy or sell with more confidence.
Tools
Glossary
Local terms explained in a few words, with links to the articles.
Checklists
Lists to print or download as PDF: before buying a house, an apartment or land, or before selling.
Quick check-up
About ten questions, no account and no phone number needed: you instantly get the list of points to check, in order of importance.