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What Are the Legal and Bureaucratic Requirements?

11 Jun, 2025

Selling property in Puerto Rico? Before you can close, there are critical legal and bureaucratic steps that must be taken. From CRIM to title clearance, Puerto Rico Real Estate, PSC helps you get every detail right—so your closing goes smoothly and on time.
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What Are the Legal and Bureaucratic Requirements?

Introduction: Don’t Let Paperwork Derail Your Sale

Selling a home in Puerto Rico isn’t just about setting a price and finding a buyer—it’s also about navigating the legal and bureaucratic maze that stands between you and closing. Questions about CRIM debt, the Registry of Property, HOA dues, and notary requirements are common. And skipping even one step can stall or cancel a deal.

That’s why working with Puerto Rico Real Estate, PSC is critical. We guide sellers through every legal and municipal obligation—from verifying title clearance to ensuring CRIM is up to date—so your transaction is airtight and on schedule.


Why Sellers Need to Prepare Legally Before Closing

The legal preparation behind a sale is just as important as the marketing. Here's what must be in order:

✅ 1. CRIM (Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales)

Before closing, CRIM (Puerto Rico's property tax authority) must show that your property tax status is paid in full. Unpaid CRIM balances can result in:

  • Title encumbrances

  • Delays with notaries

  • Buyer financing issues

We ensure:

  • CRIM is verified and current

  • Sellers receive a CRIM certification for the deed

✅ 2. Registro de la Propiedad (Property Registry)

Your property must be correctly registered under your name and free of liens or discrepancies. Common issues we resolve include:

  • Name mismatches

  • Unrecorded inheritances

  • Missing survey plans (plano de mensura)

  • Previous unpaid mortgages or embargoes

We work directly with attorneys and registry experts to get your record clean.

✅ 3. Notarial Documentation

All real estate sales in Puerto Rico require execution before a notary public attorney. The notary:

  • Drafts the deed of sale

  • Certifies CRIM, Registry, and utility documentation

  • Oversees signatures at closing

At Puerto Rico Real Estate, PSC, we coordinate the full closing with the notary so you don’t have to worry about documentation or delays.

✅ 4. HOA Dues & Clearances

If your property belongs to a Homeowners Association, you'll need:

  • Proof of current HOA payments

  • HOA certification (Carta de No Deuda)

We help obtain all necessary certificates from the HOA to clear your sale.

✅ 5. Municipal Permits or Filings

Depending on location and zoning, you may need to present:

  • Use permits

  • Construction permits

  • Evidence of utility connection (water/electric)

  • Municipal tax filings or licenses (Patente Municipal)

If anything is missing, we’ll guide you on how to gather or resolve them with the corresponding municipality.

✅ 6. Title Clearance

The title company or attorney will perform a formal title search. As your listing team, we proactively:

  • Resolve issues before the buyer’s due diligence

  • Work with attorneys to avoid red flags

  • Ensure the property is ready for title insurance


Why Sellers Choose Puerto Rico Real Estate, PSC

Working with us means you’re not alone in this process. Here’s how we make it seamless:

✔ Legal Expertise on Your Side
We’ve helped hundreds of sellers clear up CRIM, Registry, and title issues. We know the system and the people who can help resolve it fast.

✔ End-to-End Coordination
We don’t just sell your home—we walk you through every step of the legal prep, coordinate with your notary, and follow through until funds hit your account.

✔ Network of Trusted Professionals
From surveyors and attorneys to registry officers and CRIM staff—we know who to call when something needs to be resolved quickly.

✔ Peace of Mind
With Puerto Rico Real Estate, PSC handling your sale, you’ll avoid the chaos, delays, and last-minute surprises that too many sellers face.


FAQs for Sellers

Q: What if my CRIM is not up to date?
A: We can help you request a payment plan or bring it up to date before closing. But it must be cleared to finalize the sale.

Q: My deed is under my parents’ name. Can I still sell?
A: Not until the inheritance process (Declaratoria de Herederos) is completed and updated in the Registry. We can guide you through it.

Q: I made improvements without permits. Is that a problem?
A: Possibly. We’ll review what’s required and help you resolve it with the local municipality if needed.


Real Seller Testimonial

"I didn’t realize how much paperwork was involved with CRIM, the registry, and my HOA. Puerto Rico Real Estate, PSC handled it all with patience and precision. I’m so grateful I didn’t try to do it alone."
– Carla S., Guaynabo


Contact Puerto Rico Real Estate, PSC

📞 787.244.6364
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.ThePuertoRicoRealEstate.com

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