Government Introduces Surveyor Loan Fund to Expand Land Titling Programme

Minister with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Hon. Robert Montague, has announced plans for a Revolving Surveyor Loan Fund aimed at helping small landholders overcome one of the biggest barriers to obtaining land titles — the cost of land surveys.

Making his contribution to the 2026/2027 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday (June 9, 2026), Minister Montague said the proposed initiative forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to accelerate land titling and expand access to legal land ownership across Jamaica.

“Many of our small land occupants find it a little challenging sometimes to find the surveyors’ fees,” he said.

Under the proposed arrangement, people occupying properties of two acres or less would be able to access financing to cover survey costs. Applications would be processed through the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP), National Land Agency (NLA)-trained attorneys, or recognised land management service providers, with funds paid directly to surveyors.

To safeguard public funds and ensure repayment, a caveat would be lodged against the title until the loan is repaid.

Minister Montague noted that while the Government continues to make progress in expanding land ownership, Jamaica’s land titling backlog remains substantial and could take up to two decades to resolve, even with full public cooperation.

The Surveyor Loan Fund forms part of a broader strategy to remove financial obstacles that prevent Jamaicans from securing legal ownership of land and unlocking its economic value.