Open since May 4th, the Saint-Martin land agency was officially inaugurated on Friday, June 26th in Marigot by Prefect Cyrille Le Vély and President Louis Mussington. Co-financed by the State and the Collectivity, this public interest group provides free support to Saint-Martin residents who have been occupying their land for at least thirty years without a title deed.
According to a study conducted in the territory in 2024, nearly one in three families lives on land without a notarized deed or in joint ownership. In Saint-Martin, this represents nearly 60% of privately owned building plots held up by land title issues.
“The goal is to provide the population with economic, legal, and health security,” explains Gaëtan Grach, director of the agency. Without a title deed, it’s impossible to sell, rent, mortgage, or insure one’s property, to receive aid after a natural disaster, or to transfer or develop one’s assets under favorable conditions. The agency cannot yet issue title deeds itself, but it provides free assistance to residents in preparing their applications and navigating the notarial procedures.
Approximately thirty applications received
While land located within the "50 geometric paces" zone does not fall under the agency's jurisdiction, it can still review these applications, issue a certificate, and direct applicants to the relevant committee of the Collectivity. These applications also contribute to a database designed to better assess the extent of the situation.
Since its opening, the agency has already received around thirty applications. The application forms, which must be completed to schedule an appointment, are available in French, English, and Spanish, and can be picked up at its offices at 2 rue du Général de Gaulle, as well as at the reception desks of the Prefecture and the Collectivity. _DR
