I have been paying taxes on this land for twelve (12) years, is the land now mine?
In Jamaica, persons can either register their land to receive a land title or apply to be the owner of previously registered land through adverse possession.
The practice of acquiring ownership of land through the payment of taxes is known as adverse possession; however, just paying taxes on abandoned land to eventually claim title is not entirely true. Jamaica's adverse possession rules, like those in many other jurisdictions, are complex and strict.
Adverse possession often requires openly occupying and using the land for at least 12 years undisturbed, in addition to meeting other legal conditions. Simply paying taxes on abandoned land does not guarantee ownership rights. While persistent payment of taxes on a property may indicate some level of claim or interest, it is insufficient to establish adverse possession.