Roadtown, Tortola - The House of Assembly has approved an amendment to the Non-belongers Land Holding Regulation Act, (Cap. 122) which will require non-belongers desirous of acquiring land or property from commercial banks, through foreclosures or auctions, to apply for a Non-belongers Land Holding Licence. 

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Omar W. Hodge on July 24 moved the bill entitled “Non-belongers Land Holding Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2009” which received much discussion and unanimous support from all members of the House.

Several members saw the bill as “long awaited” and “extremely critical” as the absence of the amendment created a loophole in the present legislation which allowed commercial banks to dispose of land and property to any person or business in the Territory, despite their inability or status to hold land.

Non-belongers now attempting to acquire land or property through bank foreclosures or auctions must hold a Non-belongers Land Holding Licence.

The Natural Resources Minister thanked the members of the House for supporting what he called an “important bill”, adding that he is pleased that Government could deliver on the bill and is satisfied that the flaw is corrected.

The enactment of the Non-belongers Land Holding Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2009, will simplify and strengthen the act to ensure that Government has effective control of non-belonger interest in land and is more effective in processing such applications.

This bill will also allow Government departments with responsibility for land matters to provide a more accurate picture and percentage of land owned by both belongers and non-belongers.  This action will also provide additional revenue for the Crown now realized as a result of the provisions of this act.

The Non-belongers Land Holding Regulation Act, (Cap. 122) mandates the conditions under which a non-belonger individual or company can legally hold property in the Territory.   The act came into being on February 1, 1923 and was originally titled the Aliens Land Holding Regulation Act.