Buying a suitable holiday villa in Bali comes with its own challenges whether its land ownership certificate or hunting for the right villa it all gets confusing. 

We cover all those aspects in this article to help you make it easier to understand the process of buying a villa in Bali. s

Can a foreigner buy a villa in Bali for personal use?

PURCHASE OF A HAK PAKAI VILLA (RIGHT TO USE)

In Indonesia, there are numerous land certificates. But the Hak pakai Certificate (right to use) should be used by foreigners who want to purchase property for their particular use.

A legal permit to purchase a property with Hak Pakai includes (KITAS) (right to use).

Your property must meet these requirements:

Residential property

Not larger than 20 acres

A value of at least IDR 5 billion

The land must already have an existing building (cannot be land only)

Initially, you have the right to use the credential for 30 years. This will first be extended by 20 years and then again by 30 years over 80 years. You will benefit from these terms and conditions before you have retired and sell your villa at any point in your life.

30 years

Initial term

+ 20 years

First renewal

+ 30 years

Second renewal

Total of 80 years

However, please note that your residency permit needs to be valid. You have one year to have a new one or sell the property if you do not renew your stay permits.

It is necessary to note the profit cannot be generated by a villa purchased with a "right to use" permit. You can't rent your Bali vacation home at Airbnb. If this is your intention, you must buy or lease the land via a firm in the relevant industry.

Long-term leasing of properties in Bali:

For someone wishing to move to Bali, a long-term lease of a property is also a common choice. Foreigners usually lease properties with the option of extending them for 25 years. It is necessary to negotiate on terms in the lease agreement when leasing land. To minimize unnecessary issues with the owner, you must consult a licensed property advisor.

In a leasing agreement, there are several relevant points to state:

Building on the land. In the leasing agreement, the terms and conditions for development on the property should be clear. The lease arrangement must therefore specifically demonstrate the assistance of landlords in the implementation of construction permissions. The deal may also specify what happens after the lease ends.

Sub-leasing the property. If you wish the land to be subsidized, you must claim your right to do so in the leasing agreement. Moreover, the contract must also specify what the rules and procedures are for that reason. For example, do you have to seek your landowner's written approval or is it enough to give notice?

Terms for extending the lease agreement. The names of expansion in the lease agreement must be specified. Also, pay the extension fee promptly, as the extension occurs only after payment. In the event of ownership changes in the future, even with specific terms in the lease, termination terms are impossible to execute, and the new landowner does not wish to meet the agreement.

Usage of access roads and communal areas. Check on all matters relating to roads and communal areas to be included under the leasing agreement. Many disputes will occur and even can involve prosecutors and police.

Right of first refusal for buying property. The rental arrangement must say If the landowners wish to sell the property, he/she must first sell the property to the lessor.

Usage of the land. The purpose and usage of the land are also significant. However, we suggest that you keep this choice available for business purposes, even though you intend to use it as your residence at the moment. In this way, you are entitled to use the land for business purposes.

Why you shouldn't use a local person's name to buy property in Indonesia

One common mistake is to use an Indonesian national such as a friend or companion as the ideal way to own a property in Bali. It is inherently dangerous, though it is also easy. Only choose this option if you recognize that your property can be lawfully withdrawn at any time.

Moreover, it is illegal since there is no freehold for foreigners. If authorities catch you concealing foreign ownership under the nominee scheme, they will seize your property.

Another issue is the death of the local citizen. The owners of the family shall inherit the land and make no legal claims over it.

If a villa with a right to use a certificate is bought, ownership is secure and legitimate, so the unsafe nominee scheme is unnecessary. The new owner will still convert the certificate when you sell the house.

Safely Buying a Villa in Bali

Get a Stay Permit

A villa with the right to use the certificate has to be given a legal stay. There are two kinds of stay permits for foreigners, the limited stay permit (KITAS) and the permanent stay permit (KITAP).

A KITAS enables you to live in Bali for a long but short period. Depending on your KITAS, you will live in Bali for six months to two years, and this license is renewable. There are a variety of options to do that. KITAS eligible persons include:

·  Retired persons who are at least 55 years old

·  Employees of an Indonesian company that is willing to sponsor KITAS.

·  Investors in a foreign company (subject to specific criteria).

·  Spouses of an Indonesian citizen.

Checklist Before Buying a Villa in Bali

A very critical step in purchasing a property is the full analysis or due diligence of the property. This guarantees that after buying the property and in the future, you will have no complications. For this purpose, the long-term leasing of the property has related risks and possible concerns.

The process of conducting due diligence includes the following steps.

Verify Land Ownership

Make sure that you speak to the true landowner or an appointed official before anything else. You will have to understand how many people own the land. In some instances, the land title may be out of date and may not be identified among all existing legal owners. Be sure both owners acknowledge the transaction.

Check the Zoning and Property Requirements

You need not waste time or money bargaining with the property owner to then find out that it does not fit the requirements for a certificate right to be used.

Check for Unpaid Taxes

Before purchasing the house, check if the property has any unpaid taxes. If landowners have outstanding taxes, the property's price should be lower, so you take responsibility for it. The tax check also gives you an indication of how much to pay in the future.

Access to the Property

Access roads can be publicly or privately owned in Bali. Conflicts with your neighbors in your residence will ruin your mood. By planning before you purchase the house, you can avoid access to road problems.

Fees and other expenses

Find out if your property has any other expenditures. The purchasing of a property in Bali implies typically additional costs, not restricted to:

·  Village donation

·  Legal fees

·  Taxes