New Crown land rules to block illegal settlement claims

Persons who move on to Crown lands from June 9, 2026 will not qualify for Government settlement programmes, Minister with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Hon. Robert Montague, has announced.

Montague said the change is among several steps being taken to discourage illegal occupation of public property and speed up lawful access to land ownership. He made the announcement in the House of Representatives during his contribution to the 2026/2027 Sectoral Debate on June 9, 2026.

According to the Minister, the policy is intended to remove any benefit people may expect from taking over or selling state-owned lands without approval. He warned persons who are collecting money for Crown lands or claiming they have political backing that such sales have no legal standing.

“No MP, Councillor, JP, big man nor area leader can sell government lands. Those persons scamming people and saying it’s the Member of Parliament who send them, stop. Because it nuh go soh,” Montague said.

He told the House that drone and spatial mapping of Crown lands has been completed islandwide, and said enforcement will be strengthened against illegal occupants and those linked to unauthorised deals involving state properties.

“We are removing the incentive for land scamming,” the Minister said. He added that lands set aside for schools, clinics, roads and other public facilities are being increasingly taken over by illegal occupants.

Montague also said a major initiative to improve land access for landless Jamaicans will be unveiled in the coming months. The programme, he said, is meant to widen access to land while protecting property rights and promoting orderly national development.