Glossary

In this section

• CONFOTUR

  CONFOTUR is a tourism-incentive status granted per project by resolution under Law 158-01 — never per zone. What it exempts, and what to verify.

• IPI

  IPI is the annual Dominican property tax: 1% above an exempt threshold, paid twice a year, waived under a valid CONFOTUR resolution. Plain-English definition.

• Título

  The certificado de título is the Dominican registry document proving ownership. What it shows, what the lien certification adds, and why off-plan differs.

• Deslinde

  Deslinde is the Dominican survey process that separates a parcel from a parent title and gives it an individual title. Why land buyers must check it first.

• HOA

  The HOA or mantenimiento fee pays for security, pools, gardens and reserves. How it is charged in Punta Cana and why launch fees rarely hold.

• SRL

  Understand a Dominican SRL before choosing company ownership: formation, reporting, tax, succession and a comparison with personal ownership.

• Freehold

  Foreigners buy freehold in the Dominican Republic — full registered ownership, no leasehold term, no local partner. What still limits use.

• Off-plan

  Off-plan means buying before completion with milestone payments. The discount, the delivery risk, and the contract terms that matter.

• Gross vs net yield

  Gross yield is rent over price; net yield is what survives management, HOA, IPI, voids and wear. Why the gap is wide in Punta Cana.

• Fideicomiso

  A fideicomiso is a Dominican trust structure. Check its purpose, contributed assets, trustee duties and relationship to your specific property purchase.

• Plusvalía

  Plusvalía is capital appreciation. Why quoted Punta Cana plusvalía percentages are estimates, and what to check instead.

• Cédula

  The cédula is the Dominican national ID. Foreign buyers do not need one to purchase property — here is where it actually matters.

• Catastro

  Catastro identifies and measures the parcel; the registry records who owns it. Why both must match before you buy Dominican land.

• Arras

  Understand arras in a Dominican property purchase. Ask independent counsel to check the payment’s legal character, agreement and repayment conditions.

• Escritura

  The escritura is the notarised deed of sale. Why signing it is not ownership until the Registro de Títulos issues the new certificate.

• Régimen de condominio

  The condominium regime sets units, common areas, HOA shares and whether short-term rental is allowed. The document that decides your Airbnb plan.

• Rental pool

  A rental pool rents all owners' units as one inventory and shares revenue by formula. What to check: fee, deductions, owner nights, exit.

• NOI

  NOI is rental income minus operating costs, before financing and tax. The costs Punta Cana buyers most often leave out of it.

• Cap rate

  Cap rate is NOI over price, unlevered. Why a quoted Punta Cana cap rate is only as good as the operating costs behind it.