reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 588 - Death or disability of acquirer

In case the acquirer dies or becomes disabled within the fifteen (15) years after having acquired the farm, the persons constituting his estate, including the widow or the woman who has been cohabiting outside the bonds of marriage with the deceased at the moment of his death in the first case, or the children, spouse or woman who has been cohabiting without the bonds of marriage with the disabled, may continue cultivating the farm subject to the restrictions imposed by this act, if they are interested in doing so. If they are not interested, the Commonwealth may acquire same for its fair value in the market or may authorize the purchase thereof by any person it may consider qualified according to norms established by § 581 of this title and in such case the acquirer shall be subject to the conditions and restrictions imposed by the original sale.
In case of death of the acquirer of any farm sold by the Secretary of Agriculture under the provisions of this title, without leaving heirs, or leaving heirs who are ineligible to own one of the farms under the provisions of this act, the farm shall revert fee simple to the Commonwealth to be devoted again for the purposes of this title.
History —Dec. 7, 1966, No. 5, p. 24, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 589 - Transfers—Funds, equipment, personnel

There is transferred from the Social Programs Administration of the Department of Agriculture to said Department the personnel, equipment, machinery, vehicles, archives, records, credit balances, obligations, rights, inventories, facilities and all kinds of properties and funds, including appropriation balances and appropriation items, pledged and not pledged, relative to the administration and operation of Title VI. The personnel to be transferred shall hold their present classification within the noncompetitive service in accordance with the act which created the personnel office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and those who are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out and fulfill the provisions of this title shall also be within the noncompetitive service of the said personnel office.
History —Dec. 7, 1966, No. 5, p. 24, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 590 - Transfers—Homestead Farm Program

The Secretary of Agriculture shall administer and assimilate the Homestead Farm Program which is also transferred from the Social Programs Administration of the Department of Agriculture to said Department as part of the farm program of Title VI in accordance with the norms under which the administration of Homestead Farm Program was governed upon the taking of effect of this act and by such other norms as may be established by the Secretary of Agriculture under the provisions of this act.
History —Apr. 12, 1941, No. 26, p. 388, added as § 79-J on Dec. 7, 1966, No. 5, p. 24, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 591 - Title VI Fund, Trust Fund

There is created a trust fund which shall be known as “Title VI Fund, Trust Fund” which shall be under the custody of the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall keep it specially separated from other public funds under his custody and same shall be composed of the following items:
(a) The funds corresponding to Title VI of those hereby transferred from the so-called “Fifth and Sixth Title Fund, Trust Fund” which hereinafter shall be known as the “Fifth Title Fund, Trust Fund”.
(b) The remainder of the appropriations made by the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico to assimilate the discontinued Homestead Farm Program.
(c) The payments received under usufruct contracts, as well as the interest same may earn, in relation to farms of Title VI and all those revenues derived from the discontinued Homestead Farm Program.
(d) All the monies collected by reason of rentals of usufruct or lease, interest, sale of forest or agricultural products, sale of personal or real properties and/or any other revenues connected with the farms of Title VI or of Homestead Farm.
(e) The appropriations that the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico may make for the purpose of this title.
History —Apr. 12, 1941, No. 26, p. 388, added as § 79-K on Dec. 7, 1966, No. 5, p. 24, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 592 - Indivision of units—Purpose

There is hereby declared the purpose of preserving the indivision of the agricultural production units established under Title VI of the Land Law of Puerto Rico, known as the Family Farm Program, as reenacted by Act No. 5 of December 7, 1966, as amended, §§ 581—591 of this title, as well as of the agricultural units into which may be divided the lands that the Puerto Rico Land Administration and any other agency, instrumentality or public corporation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may have acquired or may hereafter acquire for the purposes of preserving and/or devoting them to agricultural use. Said units shall be preserved for agricultural use.
History —July 3, 1974, No. 107, Part 1, p. 352, § 1; May 10, 1976, No. 33, p. 96, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 593 - Indivision of units—Preservation

There is hereby preserved the indivision of and there are hereby zoned for agricultural use the lands sold or ceded in usufruct under the provisions of Title VI of the Land Law of Puerto Rico and all lands acquired for the purposes of said Title VI not devoted or that may be devoted to forest purposes, public uses, or other uses approved by the Secretary of Agriculture under the provisions of the aforesaid Title VI. Likewise, there is preserved the indivision of the agricultural units and there are zoned for agricultural use the lands that the Puerto Rico Land Administration and any other agency, instrumentality or public corporation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may have acquired or may hereafter acquire for the purposes of preserving and/or devoting them to agricultural use.
History —July 3, 1974, No. 107, Part 1, p. 352, § 2; May 10, 1976, No. 33, p. 96, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 595 - Indivision of units—Agricultural use defined

For the purposes of §§ 592—596 of this title, agricultural use shall be understood to be all production activity of any agricultural product in its broadest sense, comprising the products obtained from cattle raising in all its branches, and including aviculture and apiculture, as well as fishery products, and hydroponics.
The agricultural units whose indivision is being preserved by §§ 592—596 of this title are those parcels of land into which a farm may be divided, according to the criterion of the proprietary agency, for the purpose of assuring their greatest capacity of agricultural production.
History —July 3, 1974, No. 107, Part 1, p. 352, § 4; May 10, 1976, No. 33, p. 96, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 55 - Family-Type Farm Program (Title VI of Land Law) › § 596 - Indivision of units—Registration of conditions and restrictions in property registry

In the corresponding section of the Property Registry of Puerto Rico due note shall be taken of the conditions and restrictions prescribed by §§ 592—596 of this title, at the time of recording both the lands sold or ceded in usufruct under the provisions of Title VI of the Land Law of Puerto Rico, as well as the lands sold or ceded in usufruct and that the Puerto Rico Land Administration and any other agency, instrumentality or public corporation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may have acquired or may hereafter acquire for the purposes of preserving and/or devoting them to agricultural use.
History —July 3, 1974, No. 107, Part 1, p. 352, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 57 - Homesteads (§§ 611 — 616) › § 611 - Homestead program; farms and workmen’s settlements

For provisions regarding the material formerly contained in this section, see editor’s note below.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 57 - Homesteads (§§ 611 — 616) › § 612 - Acquisition or grouping of homestead parcels—Number limited

No person may, without the expressed written consent of the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, acquire by purchase, gift, conveyance, assignment, execution, or through any other legal means, any of the parcels devoted to the Homestead Program, if at the time of the new acquisition, such person is owner, usufructuary or lessee, for any of such reasons, of two of said parcels.
History —June 16, 1954, No. 63, p. 342, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 57 - Homesteads (§§ 611 — 616) › § 613 - Acquisition or grouping of homestead parcels—Permission of Secretary of Agriculture

Any person who meets the conditions expressed in Act No. 53 of July 11, 1921, and who may desire to acquire a new homestead parcel in excess of the one held by him, shall request from the Secretary of Agriculture permission to acquire said parcel and group it with the one he is holding; Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to order an investigation in each case that may arise, and if said investigation should disclose that the conditions of the land, the working facilities of the candidate and the location of the parcels warrant the new acquisition and/or grouping, the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico shall give his consent to the said new acquisition and/or grouping.
History —June 16, 1954, No. 63, p. 342, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 57 - Homesteads (§§ 611 — 616) › § 614 - Acquisition or grouping of homestead parcels—Recording of excess parcels

The recording in the registries of property of Puerto Rico of any documents whereby more than two homestead parcels are acquired and/or grouped is hereby prohibited under penalty of nullity when said documents are not accompanied by a supplementary instrument evincing the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico.
History —June 16, 1954, No. 63, p. 342, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 57 - Homesteads (§§ 611 — 616) › § 615 - Acquisition or grouping of homestead parcels—Recording prohibited; powers of registrars

Any person who shall violate the provisions of § 613 of this title shall be estopped from recording in the registries of property of Puerto Rico the parcel thus acquired. Registrars of property are hereby empowered to refuse, under penalty of nullity, the registration of any documents whereby a homestead parcel in excess of the one already held is acquired and/or grouped, when said documents are not accompanied by a supplementary instrument evincing the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture.
History —June 16, 1954, No. 63, p. 342, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 57 - Homesteads (§§ 611 — 616) › § 616 - Acquisition or grouping of homestead parcels—Penalties

Any person who shall knowingly violate the provisions of §§ 612—616 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction be subject to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars ($250), or one-day imprisonment for each dollar he may fail to pay.
History —June 16, 1954, No. 63, p. 342, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 59 - Division of Small Community Industries (§§ 631 — 636) › § 631 - Creation

A Division of Small Community Industries of Puerto Rico is hereby created, annexed to and as a part of the Housing Development and Improvements Administration.
History —May 8, 1951, No. 365, p. 866, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 59 - Division of Small Community Industries (§§ 631 — 636) › § 632 - Purposes

The purposes of this Division, which shall hereafter be known as the “Division of Small Community Industries” shall be to promote, establish and develop small industries at various points of the Commonwealth, where the workman has working opportunities only during certain seasons of the year and his income is insufficient to meet his most essential needs. It shall also be the purpose of this Division to provide additional training opportunities to the workmen and to contribute toward their social and financial betterment. The utilization of unexploited resources shall receive preferent[ial] attention.
History —May 8, 1951, No. 365, p. 866, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 59 - Division of Small Community Industries (§§ 631 — 636) › § 633 - Rights and powers

The Housing Development and Improvements Administration is hereby vested with the rights and powers necessary or advisable to carry out the program of small community industries, including, without limitation, the following:
(a) To adapt its programs of activities to the financial and social realities of the various regions of the Commonwealth and to the aptitude, capacity and education of its population.
(b) To make regulations to govern the norms of the activities to be developed by this program.
(c) To make contracts for the exercise of its powers therefor.
(d) To acquire by purchase, gift or condemnation, and to declare of public utility, any property necessary to the enforcement of this chapter, and to dispose of said property as may be determined by its requirements.
(e) To sell to the Commonwealth Government or its dependencies, including public officials and employees, or to any person or business partnership, at prevailing market prices, the products manufactured, produced or processed. Every dependency, branch or agency of the Commonwealth Government interested in buying any of the products manufactured by the Division, shall acquire such product preferably through this program.
(f) To appoint or contract for the necessary personnel and to fix the compensation therefor. The personnel of the Division shall not be subject to the provisions of Act No. 345 of May 12, 1947, creating the Office of Personnel.
(g) To accept gifts from, and to make contracts or other transactions with, any federal agency, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the political subdivisions and instrumentalities thereof, and to apply the proceeds of any such gifts to any of its purposes.
(h) To construct, purchase, rent and equip warehouses, factories, and shops wherein to carry out the activities of the Division.
(i) To sell, lease, or cede to groups of its own workmen organized in cooperatives under the General Cooperative Associations Act of Puerto Rico or any other organization, under the terms deemed advisable, the property devoted to a particular industry.
(j) To purchase supplies and equipment without the intervention of the General Supplies Administration.
(k) To loan to natural or artificial persons, under the terms and conditions he may deem convenient and necessary, the sums of money necessary for the establishment or development of small industries within the spirit of this chapter, in those cases in which the necessity and convenience of making such loans is established to the satisfaction of the Executive Director of the Housing Development and Improvements Administration. Any applicant may appeal from [sic] a decision against him to the Secretary of Housing, who shall review the case.
History —May 8, 1951, No. 365, p. 866, § 3; July 1, 1953, No. 111, p. 394.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 59 - Division of Small Community Industries (§§ 631 — 636) › § 634 - Tax exemption

The Division of Small Community Industries shall not be required to pay any tax, impost, excise, or license tax on any of the properties acquired for the program of small industries, or on its activities in the operation and maintenance of any enterprise, or on the income derived from any of its enterprises and activities. Contractors doing business with the Program of Small Industries shall not be subject to the tax on Government contracts established by § 16 of Act No. 85 of August 20, 1925, as amended by Act No. 158 of May 13, 1941.
History —May 8, 1951, No. 365, p. 866, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 59 - Division of Small Community Industries (§§ 631 — 636) › § 635 - Finances

All the funds shall be deposited with recognized depositories of the funds of the Commonwealth Government and shall be kept in separate accounts in the name of the Housing Development and Improvements Administration. Disbursements shall be made by the Housing Development and Improvements Administration according to the regulations and budgets approved by the Department of Housing and following the procedures and accounting systems prescribed for the purpose by the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico. The accounting system to be used by the Division shall be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
History —May 8, 1951, No. 365, p. 866, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 59 - Division of Small Community Industries (§§ 631 — 636) › § 636 - Fund

To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is hereby appropriated for the fiscal year 1951—52, from any available funds in the Commonwealth Treasury not otherwise appropriated, which sum the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico shall place at the disposal of the Housing Development and Improvements Administration in accordance with this chapter; Provided, That the sum appropriated shall be constituted into a special revolving fund which is hereby created known as “Small Community Industries Fund of the Housing Development and Improvements Administration, Trust Fund” and into which shall likewise be covered all the moneys received as proceeds from these activities.
History —May 8, 1951, No. 365, p. 866, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 61 - Elimination of Civic Unemployment in Puerto Rico (§§ 661 — 668) › § 661 - Short title

The short title of this chapter shall be “An Act to Eliminate Civic Unemployment in Puerto Rico”.
History —May 9, 1952, No. 218, p. 522, § 1; Apr. 12, 1955, No. 14, p. 52, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 61 - Elimination of Civic Unemployment in Puerto Rico (§§ 661 — 668) › § 663 - Trust Fund

There is hereby created a fund to be known as the “Fund for the Elimination of Civic Unemployment in Puerto Rico, Trust Fund”, which fund shall be under the administration and custody of the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico and shall, as a part of the funds of the Department of Agriculture, be specifically held aside for use toward the ends and purposes of this chapter without limitation as to any specific fiscal year, and into the said fund there shall be covered all sums heretofore appropriated by law or that may hereafter be appropriated by the Legislature for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
History —May 9, 1952, No. 218, p. 522, § 3; Apr. 12, 1955, No. 14, p. 52, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 61 - Elimination of Civic Unemployment in Puerto Rico (§§ 661 — 668) › § 664 - Organization; personnel; compensation

The Secretary of Agriculture is hereby empowered and authorized to set up the organization required for the administration and operation of the program for the elimination of civic unemployment, the personnel of which organization shall be in the exempt service; Provided, That the compensation of the employees appointed shall be paid chargeable to the Fund created by this chapter.
History —May 9, 1952, No. 218, p. 522, § 4; Apr. 12, 1955, No. 14, p. 52, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 61 - Elimination of Civic Unemployment in Puerto Rico (§§ 661 — 668) › § 667 - Approval by Planning Board

All projects carried out under the provisions of this chapter shall previously be approved by the Puerto Rico Planning Board.
History —May 9, 1952, No. 218, p. 522, § 7, eff. July 1, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 61 - Elimination of Civic Unemployment in Puerto Rico (§§ 661 — 668) › § 668 - Delegation of powers to director of Social Programs Administration or other officials

The powers and faculties vested under this chapter in the Secretary of Agriculture may be delegated to the Director of the Social Programs Administration of the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico.
History —May 9, 1952, No. 218, p. 522, § 8; Apr. 12, 1955, No. 14, p. 52, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 681 - Title deeds

The Secretary of Housing of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to grant title deeds to usufructuaries or occupants of parcels in the communities established pursuant to the provisions of §§ 551—556 of this title.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 1, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 682 - Sale of parcels

In the case of such usufructuaries who at present own a rural or urban parcel and who have not violated the provisions of § 553 of this title, the Secretary of Housing shall sell to them, if they so request, the parcel for the sum of one dollar ($1), provided they comply with the following requirements:
(a) Have built on, or transferred their house to said parcel and reside therein, though on so doing they have exceeded the term of one hundred twenty (120) days required by §§ 241 et seq. of this title.
(b) Request the title deed from the Secretary of Housing at any time during the effectiveness of this act.
(c) Pay as purchase price, the sum of one dollar ($1) to the Secretary of the Treasury at the time of executing the deed.
(d) For the purposes of this section the occupant of a parcel who uses it as his sole residence, shall not be considered as violating § 553 of this title, even though on June 1, 1968, he did not have a usufruct title, but met the requirements of law and the regulations thereof, to qualify as usufructuary, or if on that same date he had acquired by cession or conveyance a parcel or part thereof, from a usufructuary to whom he is related by consanguinity or affinity up to the fourth degree.
(e) [Repealed. Act May 30, 1970, No. 74, p. 190, § 1.]
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 2; May 30, 1970, No. 74, p. 190, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 682a - Restrictions

The acquirers shall use the property as their main residence. Any usufructuary to which a title deed has been granted for the amount of one dollar ($1), pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, who sells or otherwise transfers the title on or before the ten (10)-year period since the date of the granting, shall return seventy-five percent (75%) of the value of the lot to the Department of Housing at the time of sale. The term sale includes other forms of transfer such as exchange, encumbrance, mortgage, lease or offering securities using the property as collateral. Such amount shall be returned at the time of the transaction to the official who appears at the sale on behalf of the Department of Housing, who shall be responsible for receiving the corresponding amount outright. All usufructuaries that have been exempted by the Secretary are the only ones to be excepted from compliance with the obligations set forth in this chapter. This restrictive clause shall be included in all certifications or sales deeds issued or executed pursuant to this chapter and shall be extended to the legal heirs of the acquirer. The exemption granted by the Secretary shall be made through written certification attesting to compliance with any of the circumstances listed further below.
The Department of Housing shall exempt those persons or families from the payment of said money for the sale or transfer (mortgage, security, lease or encumbrance) of the lot before the established ten (10) -year period for any of the following reasons:
(1) Divorce, when one (1) of the spouses assigns his/her participation in the lot to the other party who shall acquire the corresponding share of the lot with the same restrictions as the assignor spouse and have the duty of complying with said restrictions as an agreement in their divorce without receiving money or goods in exchange.
(2) Inheritance, if the property is acquired from the deceased owner, who bequeathed it to his/her dependents or legatees who shall acquire the lot with the same restrictions imposed on the deceased and shall be bound to comply therewith.
(3) Serious or terminal disease, as certified by a doctor to that effect. Provided, That said disease suffered by the owner or its dependents who live together in the same lot compels them to sell or transfer the lot in order to obtain medical treatment.
(4) To take on mortgage loans so as to conduct property improvements, without leaving a surplus.
(5) Any other situation that the Secretary may deem meritorious.
Any person who shall be exempted for the aforementioned reasons shall not be entitled to benefit again from the program established under the Sales of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants Act. The money recovered shall be used for the present Housing Rehabilitation Program of the Department.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, added as § 2-A on Aug. 6, 2008, No. 174, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 683 - Withholding or sale

In the case of those usufructuaries who may have violated the provisions of § 553 of this title, the Secretary of Housing shall choose whether to withhold the title deed on these parcels or to sell them.
(a) The Secretary shall withhold the title deed in those cases in which there exist specific plans on the part of the agencies and instrumentalities of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to devote said parcels to a public purpose or use such as: highways, hospitals, schools, recreation areas or any government project or facility. In these cases, and in spite of the confiscation that is established by §§ 241 et seq. of this title, as penalty of the violations of § 553 of this title the Secretary of Housing shall compensate the owners of the buildings existing on said lands, in accordance with § 1164 of Title 31, with respect to persons of good faith who erect on lands belonging to another person.
(b) Except as above mentioned, the Secretary may sell the parcels in accordance with the regulations that to such effect he may adopt.
The determination of the price and the conditions whereby the parcels shall be sold shall be made taking into consideration, among others, the following factors:
(1) The nature, seriousness, motivations and circumstances in which the violation to § 553 of this title occurred.
(2) The use being given to the parcel.
(3) The time the occupant has lived on the parcel.
(4) Financial standing of the occupant of the parcel.
(5) The market value of the parcel, determined, on the basis of an expert appraisal.
In cases where the usufructuary or occupant does not meet the requisite established in the regulations that the Secretary may adopt or where he shows no interest in purchasing the parcel at the price and under the conditions that the latter may fix, the Secretary may sell the parcel to the highest bidder.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 3, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 684 - Lotting requirements, exemption

The lottings that may be necessary to carry out the execution of the title that the Secretary of Housing may make under this chapter, shall be exempt from the provisions and lotting regulations of Act No. 213 of May 12, 1942, as amended.
The Secretary of Housing in consultation with the Puerto Rico Planning Board shall adopt the necessary regulation to govern the lotting of parcels located in urban or rural areas. The size of the parcels to be lotted shall be determined taking into account among other factors, the value of the land, the populational density, the topography and original area of the parcel to be lotted.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 4, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 685 - Leases

The persons or entities to whom, pursuant to the provisions of § 552 of this title, lots have been ceded in rental for commercial, industrial, educational, social, religious, civic, charitable purposes or labor organizations may continue enjoying said lots subject to the clauses of the lease contract.
The Secretary of Housing is hereby empowered to sell said lots and/or parcels to the persons or entities to whom, pursuant to the provisions of § 552 of this title, lots have been ceded in rental, if they so request; Provided, That the lots and/or parcels which are devoted at present to dwellings, and which are not covered by the other provisions of this chapter, shall be sold pursuant to the provisions of this section.
The decision of the price and conditions whereby the lots and/or parcels leased shall be sold shall be made taking into consideration the following factors, and any others that the Secretary of Housing may adopt by regulation:
(1) The use which is being given to the lot and/or parcels.
(2) The market value of the lot and/or parcel determined on the basis of an expert assessment.
The Secretary of Housing shall not sell more than one lot and/or parcel to a person who holds in rental a parcel for housing and/or commercial purposes, in case he has more than one in rental.
The Secretary of Housing shall not sell more than one lot and/or parcel in rental to nonprofit religious, educational, social, civic, charitable, commercial, industrial or labor organizations in the same community.
All the expenses incurred in the execution of the deed arisen as a result of the sales of lots and/or parcels authorized under this section shall be defrayed exclusively by the buyer.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 5; July 9, 1973, No. 3, p. 823.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 686 - Limitation of parcels

The Secretary of Housing shall not sell more than one parcel to the same usufructuary or occupant. In the event that at the time of approval of this act, a person occupies or enjoys in usufruct more than one parcel, he may choose the one he wishes to purchase.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 6, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 687 - Disqualification

Any person to whom a parcel has been sold under this chapter, and who sells or transfers it, or who gives up said parcel in any manner, shall become disqualified to acquire another parcel under the Land Law, §§ 241 et seq. of this title, or under this chapter.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 7, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 688 - Mortgages

In those cases where the Housing Bank has granted a loan guaranteed by the usufruct and the building constructed upon such parcel, the mortgage shall automatically extend in fee simple to the parcel in question, as if it had thus been originally executed.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 8, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 689 - Former contracts

In cases of sale of parcels under the provisions of this chapter, any contract or agreement which is not the usufruct contract entered into, prior to the effectiveness of this act, between the Housing Development and Improvements Administration and the usufructuaries, shall continue to bind the parties, under the same conditions and obligations agreed upon until its expiration.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 9, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 689a - Transfer of title of ownership through certificate

The transfer of the title of ownership by public deed authorized in this chapter may also be performed through certificates of transfer of title deeds issued by the Secretary of Housing, or by a Housing Department official whom he may delegate. These certificates shall be recordable in the Property Registry of Puerto Rico, and shall contain the name and personal circumstances of each person acquiring title, and other necessary information for its registration, pursuant to § 9 of the Mortgage Law. Such certificates shall be covered by the provisions of § 691 of this title.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, added as § 9-A on June 20, 1977, No. 77, p. 157, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 690 - Delegation of powers

The Secretary of Housing is hereby authorized to delegate in subordinate officers or employees to appear in his name and representation and to execute the purchase deeds of parcels. He is, further, empowered to name without being subject to the provisions of Act No. 345 of May 12, 1947, and to contract the professional, technical or administrative services necessary in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 10, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 691 - Exemptions

The deeds executed by the Secretary of Housing under this chapter are exempt from the payment of any tax or notary fees and the deeds executed under § 682 of this title, shall also be exempt from the payment of fees for their recording in the corresponding sections of the Property Registry of Puerto Rico.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 11, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 693 - Information on rights and responsibilities

The Secretary of Housing, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall establish a program prior to the granting of the title deed to a usufructuary or occupant whereby he shall be informed of the rights, obligations and responsibilities to which he shall be entitled as owner of the parcel.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 13, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 694 - Regulations

Any regulation adopted by the Secretary of Housing for the implementation of this chapter shall have the express approval of the Governor of Puerto Rico.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 14, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 695 - Property right; easements

To the usufructuaries or occupants acquiring the title deed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter there shall apply all laws relative to the enjoyment of the property right; Provided, That all right of way held on these parcels by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies and instrumentalities, shall continue to be exercised thereon and shall not be included in the title to be transferred in favor of the acquirer.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 15, eff. July 1, 1969.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 63 - Sale of Parcels to Usufructuaries or Occupants (§§ 681 — 697) › § 697 - Appropriations

The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) is hereby appropriated during fiscal year 1969—70 from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury to carry out the provisions of § 693 of this title. The amounts necessary for subsequent years shall be included in the General Budget of Expenses of the Government of Puerto Rico.
History —June 14, 1969, No. 35, p. 60, § 17, renumbered as § 16 on May 23, 1995, No. 46, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 67 - Sale of Lots to Persons Not Qualified to Become Usufructuaries (§§ 731 — 737) › § 731 - Creation

A program is hereby created within the Rural Housing Administration, at present the Housing Development and Improvements Administration of the Department of Housing, for the development and sale of lots to families or persons with incomes in excess of the limit established through regulations for the granting of lots in usufruct under the provisions of Title V of the Land Act, §§ 551—561 of this title, as amended, but that in no case exceed an amount equal to two and a half (2 1 / 2) times the maximum income established in said regulations, and for the sale of lots to affordable housing developers.
History —July 18, 1986, No. 4, p. 761, § 1; Dec. 19, 1995, No. 239, § 1; Sept. 6, 1997, No. 118, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 67 - Sale of Lots to Persons Not Qualified to Become Usufructuaries (§§ 731 — 737) › § 732 - Authorization

The Housing Development and Improvements Administration of the Department of Housing is hereby authorized to acquire land, either through direct purchase or through the right of eminent domain, for the development of lots according to the minimum norms and requirements established through regulations by the Secretary of Housing in coordination with the Planning Board and other government agencies. In the selection of land, it must be taken into consideration that such an acquisition shall not affect lands usable for agriculture for natural and economic reasons.
History —July 18, 1986, No. 4, p. 761, § 2; Sept. 6, 1997, No. 118, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 67 - Sale of Lots to Persons Not Qualified to Become Usufructuaries (§§ 731 — 737) › § 733 - House building; term; financing; training

A reasonable term shall be granted to families or persons that acquire lots to build the structure for their dwelling, which may be extended for just cause, but in no case shall it exceed twenty-four (24) months. Prior to the execution of the property title deed of the lot, the Housing Development and Improvements Administration shall evaluate the capability of the future owner to negotiate and obtain the financing needed to build the dwelling unit from those financial institutions recognized for the purposes of this chapter by the Department of Housing. The Housing Bank and Finance Agency, under the conditions and requirements established by the Secretary of Housing, may grant loans to said persons to build the structures and establish all the necessary guarantees to allow the effective recovery of the loans granted.
In cases where it may apply, acquiring persons and families shall be offered short training courses in order to teach them simple building techniques according the simple building plans and specifications provided by the Housing Development and Improvements Administration, to be used in the construction of said structures. The Permit Management Office and the Planning Board shall be consulted for the adoption of said plans and specifications. Persons qualified in structure building techniques may participate as volunteers together with other citizens in the construction of houses, and may be supervised by personnel from the Housing Development and Improvements Administration.
History —July 18, 1986, No. 4, p. 761, § 3; Dec. 19, 1995, No. 239, § 2; Sept. 6, 1997, No. 118, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 67 - Sale of Lots to Persons Not Qualified to Become Usufructuaries (§§ 731 — 737) › § 734 - Maximum price for land and structure

In the case of the sale of lots to families or persons, the maximum price of the lots and the cost of the structure shall be established for each project taking into consideration the cost of acquisition and development of the land and the costs, construction materials, and labor.
History —July 18, 1986, No. 4, p. 761, § 4; Sept. 6, 1997, No. 118, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 67 - Sale of Lots to Persons Not Qualified to Become Usufructuaries (§§ 731 — 737) › § 734a - Eligibility requirements

The Secretary of Housing shall establish through regulations the eligibility requirements for the families or persons who acquire a lot developed under this chapter. Without it being construed as a limitation, the regulations shall contain the following:
(1) The maximum income and other qualifications which enable the families to acquire a lot and build a structure to be need a their dwelling on it.
(2) In order to qualify, the families or persons shall not be owners of a lot or a housing unit.
(3) Neither the purchaser of the lot nor the family may destine the lot to any use other than their habitual and permanent home.
(4) The purchaser of the lot shall not mortgage, sell or dispose of it without the prior consent of the Housing Development and Improvements Administration and, for the time it prescribes, through regulations adopted to such effect by the Secretary of Housing.
These restrictions shall be part of the conveyance documents and noncompliance therewith shall be sufficient cause to annul the transaction executed in violation of this provision and the same shall not confer any kind of right whatsoever.
History —July 18, 1986, No. 4, p. 761, added as § 5 on Sept. 6, 1997, No. 118, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-EIGHT - Public Lands (§§ 1 — 737) › PART III - Housing Development And Improvements Administration (§§ 521 — 737) › Chapter 67 - Sale of Lots to Persons Not Qualified to Become Usufructuaries (§§ 731 — 737) › § 735 - Redemption; exercise

The Housing Development and Improvements Administration shall sell the lots with a redemption clause that will be exercised in those cases that the acquirers plan to dispose of the lot or because they are unable to build the dwelling within the term set by this chapter or by regulations. The Secretary of Housing shall establish by regulations the conditions under which of the redemption action shall be exercised.
In the case of the sale of lots or projects to affordable housing developers, the Housing Development and Improvements Administration shall sell said lots with a redemption clause that shall be exercised in those cases in which the acquirers plan to dispose of the same or because they are unable to build the dwellings within the term established through a contract.
History —July 18, 1986, No. 4, p. 761, § 5, renumbered as § 7 and amended on Sept. 6, 1997, No. 118, § 7.