What are the exact steps to buy an off-plan house?
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The purchase process takes place in several key, structured, and secure steps:
1. Selection of the villa and the plot
You select the villa model (2 or 3 bedrooms), furnished or unfurnished, and the plot from the available lots (with or without a paddy view).
2. Sales contract and deposit
Once your selection is confirmed, our local lawyer drafts a clear contract in accordance with Sri Lankan law. You pay a 10% deposit, which officially reserves your villa.
3. Administrative procedures
You are assisted with all formalities: company formation (if purchasing through a structure), legal verifications, and obtaining land ownership documents.
4. Handover of official documents
Once the deposit is received and the procedures completed, you will receive the documents confirming the mutual commitment.
5. Construction and staged payments
Construction begins according to a defined schedule. You make payments in stages, at each verified major milestone (foundations, structural work, roofing, finishes, etc.).
6. Final delivery
Your villa is handed over to you turnkey, furnished or unfurnished according to your choice. At this stage, you become the full owner.
What percentage do I need to pay to reserve my villa?
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To officially reserve your villa and secure the plot, a deposit of 10% of the total price is required. This payment guarantees that the selected villa will not be sold to any other buyer and allows us to initiate the preparation of the sales contract.
How is the payment structured (schedule, financial guarantees)?
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Payment is made in 5 to 6 installments after the deposit, based on the actual progress of the construction.
Can I purchase from abroad?
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You can purchase a villa from abroad without the need to travel physically in most cases.
The process has been designed to be simple, secure, and 100% achievable remotely:
All documents are drafted in English by our local lawyer specialized in real estate law.
Signing is done electronically, with full support at every step.
You will receive regular reports, photos, videos, and evidence of construction progress.
Payment is staggered according to the stages of construction, with supporting documentation provided at each step.
Please note: if you are not a Sri Lankan national, you may be required to visit Sri Lanka to open a local bank account, depending on your chosen purchase structure and whether you already bank with an international institution present in Sri Lanka (such as HSBC or Standard Chartered).
What are the additional fees (notary, lawyer, various taxes, etc.)?
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Approximately 7 to 8% of the price: lawyer fees (1.5–2%), registration taxes (~4%), and miscellaneous fees (1.5%).
What are the legal and administrative specifics for a foreigner wishing to buy property in Sri Lanka?
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Foreigners cannot purchase land in their own name in Sri Lanka. However, there is a fully legal and secure legal structure that allows compliant ownership: the creation of a local company (Limited Company) owned by the foreign buyer. This company acquires the land and signs the contract.
In our project, this process is fully overseen by our local lawyer, a member of the Sri Lankan Bar and specialized in real estate law.
To ensure the proper functioning of the company, a Sri Lankan director is appointed—often your own lawyer or a trusted representative—but you retain 100% of the economic and decision-making control.
This structure, used by the majority of foreign investors in Sri Lanka, ensures:
- full legal security of your acquisition,
- administrative transparency,
- a stable framework for reselling or transferring your property in the future.
You are supported at every step of the process—from company formation to contract signing and the handover of official documents.
What is a "leasehold" versus a "freehold" property in Sri Lanka?
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In Sri Lanka, there are two main types of land ownership:
1. Freehold :
This is full ownership of the land, with no time limit. The owner has all rights to sell, bequeath, or use the property as they wish. It is the most sought-after form because it offers maximum legal security. All the plots we offer are freehold and can be legally acquired through a local company wholly owned by a foreigner.
2. Leasehold :
This is a long-term lease, usually from 30 to 99 years, granted by the state or a private owner. You have the right to use the land for the duration of the lease, but you are not the full owner. At the end of the lease, the land reverts to the original owner unless renewed.
We work exclusively with freehold land to guarantee our clients a lasting, transferable acquisition without any time constraints.
Who drafts the contract? What is its international legal validity?
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The sales contract is drafted by our local lawyer, a member of the Sri Lankan Bar and specialized in land law. He ensures that every document complies with Sri Lankan laws, is written in English, and is fully understandable to foreign investors.
This contract has full international legal validity, notably because it is signed by all parties before a notary and supported by a solid legal structure (a local company legally owned by the buyer). All documents related to your property (title deed, contract, plans) can then be registered and translated if necessary in your home country to support your rights.
What documents will I receive upon signing the contract?
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Upon signing the contract, you will receive a complete file including:
- The sales contract signed by all parties (in English), drafted by our local lawyer.
- An official reservation certificate stating the amount of the deposit paid.
- The approved plans of your villa and the associated plot.
- A detailed payment schedule and key construction milestones.
Once the final payment is made, you will also receive the official property titles and all registered documents proving your full ownership of the property.
Is it possible to purchase a villa jointly (multiple buyers)?
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Yes, it is entirely possible to purchase a villa jointly.
In this case, you can create a local company whose shares are distributed among the different buyers according to your agreement. This structure clearly defines the rights and responsibilities of each party while ensuring shared ownership in complete security.
It's an ideal solution for friends, family members, or investors who wish to pool their purchase while maintaining a clear ownership distribution and flexibility for future management (resale, rental, transfer).