Buying Property in Mauritius: A Guide for Local Buyers

Work out what you can actually afford

Start with your total budget, not the asking price. Beyond the price itself you will have notary fees, registration costs, any bank charges, moving costs and - almost always - work you want done before you move in. Build those in from the beginning.

If you are borrowing, get an indication from your bank before you start viewing. It tells you your real range and makes you a more credible buyer.

Check the title before you fall in love with the house

This is the single most important step, and it belongs to your notary. They will verify who legally owns the property, whether the title is clean, whether there are mortgages or charges registered against it, and whether the boundaries on the ground match the boundaries on paper.

Boundary and access issues are common enough to be worth naming. Confirm that the plot is the size stated and that legal access to it is properly established.

Inspect the building itself

• Roof condition, and any staining on ceilings that suggests a leak
• Damp along the base of walls and in bathrooms
• Cracks that run diagonally across walls, which can indicate movement
• The age and state of the electrical installation
• Water supply, tank capacity and pressure
• Drainage, and where water goes in heavy rain

For anything other than a new build, paying a professional to inspect is money well spent. It either buys you confidence or buys you negotiating room.

Look at the location at different times

Visit on a weekday morning and again on a weekend evening. Traffic, noise and parking change completely between the two. Check the drive to work at the hour you would actually do it, and look at how the area drains after heavy rain.

Negotiating and completing

Negotiate on evidence: comparable sale prices, and the cost of any work the inspection revealed. Once terms are agreed, the transaction is completed before a notary who prepares the deed and handles registration.

Registration duty applies to property purchases in Mauritius, and there are exemptions for first-time buyers. The thresholds and rates are set by law and have changed in recent budgets, so ask your notary to confirm what applies to your purchase rather than relying on a general figure.