Para establecer la política pública del Gobierno de Puerto Rico para promover el desarrollo y facilitar la regularización colectiva de la tenencia del suelo en comunidades autoconstruidas por familias que carecen de un título de propiedad, mediante mecanismos que hagan accesibles la obtención de titularidad comunitaria; enmendar el Artículo 777 de la Ley 55-2020, según enmendada, conocida como el “Código Civil de 2020”, a los fines de viabilizar la usucapión colectiva como uno de los instrumentos jurídicos para adelantar la titularidad en asentamientos no planificados en Puerto Rico; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico legalizes collective land ownership in informal settlements through amended adverse possession law, enabling 25% of residents lacking property titles to gain formal ownership rights.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 1057 establishes a public policy framework to formalize land ownership in self-built communities (informal settlements) across Puerto Rico by enabling collective property rights acquisition. It amends Article 777 of the 2020 Civil Code to legalize collective usucapion (adverse possession) as a mechanism for residents without formal title deeds to obtain legal property ownership through communal processes.

Why is this important

Approximately 25% of Puerto Rico's population lives in informal settlements without legal property titles, limiting access to credit, government services, and inheritance protections. Formalizing these land rights could enable residents to leverage property as collateral for economic development, increase tax revenue, and provide legal security for thousands of families. This addresses a fundamental development challenge that has persisted for decades across the island.

Potential points of contention

Collective vs. individual ownership: Critics may argue that collective usucapion creates ambiguous ownership structures that complicate future individual transfers, sales, or inheritance disputes

Administrative burden and cost: Implementing this policy requires significant government resources for surveying, documentation, and dispute resolution in communities that may lack clear boundaries or competing claims

Property tax implications: Formalizing titles could increase municipal property tax obligations for low-income residents, potentially creating affordability pressures or displacement risks

Existing creditor claims: Some informal lands may have pending debt or lien claims that complicate title transfer, requiring complex legal procedures to resolve prior encumbrances