i have a place in Old Wharf (the pink house). While I was gone over the summer the absentee neighbor has defied the Parish Council, the building department, my discussion with him, and the laws of Jamaica. He is building it next to my place, which is his right, but he is building it 3 feet from my property line, which is not.
I have talked to the Parish Council and told them I want the work stopped immediately, and an order given to take down the partially completed structure.
Additionally, the building is to be used for commercial purposes.
I would like feedback from as many of you as possible. I feel I am going to be fighting against passive law enforcement and even corruption in local government.

As of now the man has no building permit. If anyone has an honest attorney and/or experience in this matter, I think I need your help. I hate to be the ugly American fighting for my property rights and for the integrity of Jamaican laws, but I suppose that will happen. Email me or call me at 372-6745.

Good luck in a lawless country, I hope you have some luck. Cause the law is only for some not for all.

We totally agree with Roger. Building codes need to be enforced to ensure the rights of all home owners and to maintain the Old Wharf area for what it was intended to be...residential only. We would be more than happy to meet with the Parish Council with you to discuss issues clearly outlined in building codes and deeds. We also need to find out who oversees the Parish Council and oversees building inspectors to take it a step further up if needed.

I have a lot at Old Wharf and I am very worried also because in my contract says there should be no upstairs build in front of my property. Foreigners are building commercial buildings and not register with the tourist board, in their country they have to go with the bi-laws. Roger I suggest you get an attorney to protect you, Treasure Beach residents need to step up and see what is going on around them. Roger I will give you call.

Roger...We have not met and I own the land directly across the street from you, in Old Wharf. Let me know what I can do because a commercial use is strictly against the supposed zoning of the area. Please PM me and we can discuss a plan of action.

Hi Roger- I feel your pain. There is a law for just about everything in Jamaica; the problem is lack of/or poor enforcement. Jacqueline Hamilton is an Attorney at Law specialising in property law.I find her efficient and professional. She is based in Montego-Bay. Details are as follows
Email: jacqueline.ann.hamilton@gmail.com
Website: www.realestatelawjamaica.com
Tel: (876) 979-8200

Good luck.

Roger,

I think I speak for everyone when I say you have the support of the community. We will not let treasure beach turn into a shambles.

{edited by TBNet}

Good luck in your struggle, Roger. I know you care a lot about the quality of life for all in TB.

Today is January 21 and I am following up on my post of mid-November about illegal building in Old Wharf. The Parish Council, through the building department stopped illegal construction next door to my house within a week of my request. However, they say that they will "probably not" ask the illegal building carcass to be removed. So I have hired an attorney. Obviously, I prefer not to go through the hassle or the expense of a legal tiff in order to have Jamaican laws enforced, but I apparently I will.
I will keep everybody posted.

Thanks for the update Roger, I am deeply concern with guest houses building without permits. I think you should have a contract when you bought your property there are bi-laws. I wish you all the best.

as long as I can remember most of the house that are build by locals don't have a permit or a blue print for there house, I born a grow up in TB and I have never heard of a building falling on any one.The builder know what they are doing.

My response to not concern, when I bought my lot at Oldwharf I got a contract that said certain buildings were not suppose to be there. If you are a builder you should know how to read a blue print. I am very concern .