ATTRACTIVE for the sense of security they offer, gated communities have now become a big part of Jamaica’s real estate landscape. But what happens when there is not enough money to keep them looking like sought-after addresses?

The Jamaica Observer’s Real Estate on the Rock solicited comments from director of Jamaica Homes and realtor associate Dean Jones. What are the benefits of gated communities for owners, renters and the real estate industry in general?

What are the disadvantages?

Dean Jones: One of the biggest attractions of gated communities is the sense of security they provide. You are controlling, to some degree, who can drive or walk into the community, and for many buyers that gives considerable peace of mind.

That is particularly important for returning residents and Jamaicans who continue to live primarily overseas. Many may only occupy their Jamaica home for a few weeks or months each year. They like the idea of being able to leave a house, vehicle and belongings within a controlled community where there may be security personnel, neighbours nearby, and some level of monitoring.

Along the north coast, I deal with communities where there is a very significant population of returnees and overseas- based Jamaican owners. There is also a social benefit to that — people quickly establish friendships and networks with neighbours who are in similar circumstances. For somebody returning after 20 or 30 years abroad, that ready-made community can make the transition considerably easier.

There is also an obvious benefit to the real estate market. A well-run gated development with good roads, drainage, landscaping, security, and properly maintained common areas can be easier to market because purchasers can see what they are buying into beyond the individual house.

However, gated communities are certainly not for everybody. Space is one issue. Some newer developments make very efficient use of land, but that can mean relatively small lots, smaller gardens, and houses positioned quite close together. A two-bedroom house can be perfectly adequate for one person or a couple, but once a large family arrives at Christmas, everybody can suddenly become very familiar with each other.

You also sacrifice some individuality. In many developments the houses look virtually identical, and there may be restrictions on alterations, extensions, colours, fences, and what can be planted. Some buyers love that uniformity because it protects the appearance of the development.

Personally, I prefer communities with a little more character. Garden space can also be limited.

Someone returning to Jamaica may have an image of coming home, planting fruit trees, and creating a large tropical garden. In some gated developments there simply is not enough land to do that. A much more serious disadvantage arises where a development is sold before all of the infrastructure, approvals or services are properly resolved.

I always encourage purchasers, particularly overseas purchasers, not to assume that because a development has attractive advertising, a security gate, and beautifully finished model units, everything behind the scenes is complete. I know of one situation involving a family friend who sold her existing home expecting to move directly into a new development.

The completion was delayed dramatically. Her possessions remained in a container for an extended period, furniture was damaged by mould, and she eventually moved into the property roughly two years later while aspects of the development were still incomplete. Water and electricity issues were resolved later. For her, what should have been an exciting move became extremely stressful.

That is why due diligence is critical. Buyers need to understand not simply the house they are purchasing, but the status of the wider development, infrastructure, approvals, common areas, management arrangements, and what remains the responsibility of the developer.

The municipal corporations are the local planning authorities responsible for subdivision approval, and Jamaica’s local authority guidance specifically identifies access, potable water and electricity among the essential infrastructure considerations for subdivisions.