Long wait for title resolved
Dear Claudienne,
On my retirement from the Island Special Constabulary Force in June 2012, I bought a lot in a housing scheme in Westmoreland through the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited (HAJ). I paid $1,450,000 for the lot over a period of time.
On completion of the payments for the lot in June 2016, I received by registered mail a letter from HAJ. The letter also contained a copy of the title on which me and my son were registered as owners of the lot.
The letter also stated that we would get the title for the lot as soon as our names were transferred to the original title. While waiting to get my title, I learned that some persons had received their titles, but when I used my landline to call the HAJ head office, the person who answered put me on hold and never came back. This caused my telephone bill to run up.
When I contacted the HAJ office in Savanna-La-Mar, I was told that there were some problems but that I would be contacted by phone when my title was ready. When I was called to the HAJ Savanna-La-Mar office to collect a title on behalf of a family member who authorised me to collect it for her, I asked about the title for my lot that was in the same housing scheme. I was instructed to email the HAJ head office and state my concern as it was over eight years since I had received the last correspondence from the HAJ head office about my lot.
I emailed the HAJ head office on 14.1.24 but to date there has been no reply or acknowledgement of my email. I have contacted the Savanna-La-Mar office and three different officers have assured me that they are checking to find out when I will get my title. I have heard nothing further from them.
Please help me. I am not indebted to this agency and need urgent closure the same as tomorrow is promised to no one. I will attain my 70th birthday in June of 2024, God willing.
DA
Dear DA,
Tell Claudienne brought your concerns to the attention of the permanent secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation by email dated August 29, 2024 who told the column the following:
“Please be advised that the matter was referred to HAJ, who is undertaking their internal checks to see how the matter can be resolved in the soonest possible time.”
Tell Claudienne also spoke to the acting managing director of the HAJ on September 10, and notes that she telephoned you and apologised for the long delay in your receipt of the title.
On September 11, 2024 an email from the PS office to Tell Claudienne stated:
“Please be advised that the HAJ has informed that the title has been lodged with the National Land Agency (NLA) and it is anticipated that the transfer will be completed within two-three weeks.”
You told Tell Claudienne that you received the title at the Savanna-la-Mar office on Monday, October 14, 2024.
We wish you all the best.
Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 876- 936-9436 or CELL/whatsapp # 876-484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.
