Unit Titles Act 2009 Review and Implementation

Project Narrative

The Government of Samoa (GoS) passed the Unit Titles Act 2009. The Act facilitates the subdivision, both of freehold and public land and of leasehold (including customary land leases), into units to be owned by individual proprietors, and into common property to be owned by all the unit proprietors as tenants in common. This form of subdivision is subject to control by the Registrar of Land who will issue certificates of title with respect to those units, either freehold or leasehold as necessary. Implementation was to put in place clear and sound administrative mechanisms and to prepare regulations to enable the smooth and effective implementation of the Unit Titles Act 2009 in Samoa.

Key services provided

The Unit Title/Strata Title Surveyor, Land Registration and Land Law Consultants reviewed the Unit Titles Act 2009 and organised and participated in consultations with the Ministry and relevant stakeholders and the general community in relation to the implementation of the Act. In conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other stakeholders the consultants determined a strategy for implementation. In addition MNRE Staff and Private Sector Surveyors were trained and provided training modules on Unit Title surveys and registration procedures. Lastly, the existing title registration system was reviewed in order to incorporate necessary amendments for unit titles.