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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2008

St. Vincent &
Grenadines: Not only Mustique

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent member of the British Commonwealth. Some of its islands are very popular with the rich and famous; namely, Mustique, Palm Island and Union Island.

The multi-island state has lush mountains, amazing rainforests, an active volcano, and beautiful sandy beaches.

The average price for properties in the islands is US$2,300 per square meter (sq. m.), according to Global Property Guide research.

Foreigners need to acquire an Alien Land Holding License before buying property.

RENTAL YIELDS

Last Updated: Nov 25, 2005

Yields are low at 3.9% near the coast

Yields are around 3.9% for properties in coastal areas, the centre of the rental market, according to Global Property Guide research.

Rents are predominantly seasonal, but these figures are for long-term rentals.

Read Rental Yields  »

TAXES AND COSTS

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2009

Taxes are generally low

Rental Income: Non-residents’ gross rental income is taxed at a flat rate of 10%, withheld by the tenant.

Property: Property taxes on residential properties are levied at a flat rate of 5% of the property value.

Capital Gains: Capital gains realized from selling real property are not taxed.

Inheritance: There are no inheritance taxes.

Residents: Residents are liable to tax on worldwide income at progressive rates.

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BUYING GUIDE

Last Updated: Mar 26, 2008

Buying costs are high in
St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Roundtrip transaction costs, i.e., the total costs of buying and selling a property, are around 15.75% - 22.25% for non-landed the properties. Total costs are significantly higher for landed properties bought by foreigners because of the Alien Land Holding Licenses, charged at the minimum of XCD10,000 for properties worth XCD100,000 and below. The buyer and the seller equally share the 10% stamp duty.

Read Buying Guide  »

LANDLORD AND TENANT

Last Updated: Aug 03, 2006

Rental market in St. Vincent &
Grenadines is strongly pro-tenant

The law in St. Vincent and the Grenadines generously protects the tenant.

Rent: Initial rents can be freely determined between landlord and tenant. It is costly to take a tenant to Court to try to recover rent arrears, and time consuming.

Tenant Security: It is extremely difficult to evict tenants even though the tenant may be paying rent very sporadically or may have ceased to pay rent entirely.

The usual practice is that the tenant gives at least two (2) weeks to one (1) month’s notice.

Read Landlord and Tenant  »

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Last Updated: Mar 26, 2008

Agriculture, tourism

Agriculture, banana production in particular, is still the major industry. When the European Union phased out the preferential access of former colonies to the EU in 1999, economic diversification became essential.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ tourism industry developed well and is the Islands’ main source of foreign exchange. The number of visitors increased by 3.8% per year from 1999 to 2002.

The economy grew by 3.2% p.a. from 2000 to 2005. Growth of 4.2% is forecast for 2006.

 

  • Low income taxes at 10%
  • Robust economic growth
  • Generally low yields
  • Moderate to high transaction costs
  • Strongly pro-tenant market

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FACTS
Price (sq.m): n.a. Rental Yield: n.a.
Rent/month: n.a. Income Tax: 10.00% Assumptions: Owners are a non-resident couple drawing US$ / €1,500 per month in rent, with no other local income.
Roundtrip Cost: 18.8% The total cost of buying and then reselling an apartment. Includes:

* all transaction taxes and charges:
* lawyers' and notaries' fees
* agents' fees

Assumptions: The buyers are non-resident foreigners. The apartment cost US$250,00 / €250,000.
Cap Gains Tax: 0.0 Assumptions: The property was bought for US$250,000 / €250,000, and sold 10 years later, after a 100% appreciation.
Landlord & Tenant Law: Strongly Pro-Tenant Rating is based on a detailed study of each country’s law and practice.

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