New Bill Will Allow The Sale of Properties in Cuba

Raul Castro’s government has implemented a new bill that will eliminate many existing prohibitions and simplify procedures for the transfer of properties in Cuba, which means that before the end of the year, Cubans will be able to buy and sell houses or cars, reported Granma Newspaper.

At a recent meeting, the Council of Ministers announced that they are working in the “making of a new General Housing Law,” which will clarify many decrees and regulations that complicate the donation or transfer of rights over houses in the island. At the moment there are five decrees-executive orders in force, and 180 two lower-level provisions governing the conduct of these proceedings, which prohibited the sale of houses between individuals.

However, the new bill has still some limitations since “a person may not own more than one household” while a Cuban owner household who migrates “can only give the house property to spouses, former spouses and relatives up to fourth degree if they have lived permanently with the owner for five years.”

As for automobiles, donations and sales between Cubans and foreigners permanently residing in the island will be allowed, and they may purchase more than one vehicle regardless of the year of manufacture. Until now, the law stipulated that only vehicles manufactured before 1959 could be transfered. Additionally, the restriction that demanded that the buyer of a car must give a donation to the State or “de-register” his/her previous vehicle will be eliminated, in case he/she previously owned a car. (MS)

Source: Granma Newspaper