Division of Property
The Division of Property manages and controls the Government’s real property portfolio and its leasing services. These services include real property management, property acquisitions and disposals, lease administration, occupancy assignments, as well as easements and estoppels. The Property Division is responsible for all aspects of real estate negotiation, lease preparation, property inspections, survey, and appraisal of properties.
The Department of Property and Procurement’s Division of Property is mandated by the Virgin Islands Code to manage and control all Government real properties and assets to include acquisitions, dispositions, commercial leasing, and property distribution. Section 201 of Title 31 of the Virgin Islands Code constitutes the basis for all actions by the Commissioner in matters relating to the management and control of public property. The Property Division is also authorized to manage the acquisition and distribution of surplus property for the Government of the Virgin Islands pursuant to 3 V.I.C. Section 20 and 31 V.I.C. Section 242.
The Property Division is comprised of two primary units. The Space Management Unit manages all government leasehold contracts and government agencies’ requests for office space. The Business and Commercial Unit is responsible for relative activities that involve all aspects of real estate negotiation, lease preparation, property inspection, appraisal, and survey of property.
- Lease Administration
- Property Management
- Applicant Screening
- Commercial Negotiations
- Tenant Relations
- Rent Collection
- Lease Compliance Inspections
- Maintenance
The Property Division can be contacted directly via property@dpp.vi.gov.
The Commercial Leasing process begins with the submission of a completed Application to Lease Real Estate which must be accompanied by a $200 application fee for new leases and $100 application fee for renewal leases. Application fees can be conveniently paid via DPP’s “Pay Online” payment portal. Once received, the Property Division will review and process, follow-up for additional information may be required before we are able to consider the applicant fully vetted. A recommendation is then made to the Commissioner of Property and Procurement for approval to negotiate terms. A meeting or series of meetings may then be held to finalize the lease term length, tenant improvements, rental amounts, special conditions, and other considerations between the tenant and the GVI. All leases in excess of one-year are deemed fully executed upon the ratification and execution by the Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands. All one-year leases are deemed fully executed upon the review and execution of the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Space Management Leasing process begins with the submission of a completed Request for Approval to Lease Commercial and/or Office Space Application, proposal (from the landlord) and, justification letter (from the user agency justifying the need for the agreement) to the Commissioner of Property and Procurement requesting processing and approval of the application. The request is reviewed by the Division of Property and takes into consideration the space, available funding, number of staff, rate per square foot, build-out costs, utilities, and other considerations between the GVI on behalf of the user agency and the landlord. A favorable application is forwarded to the DPP Commissioner for approval and if approved, the DPP facilitates the processing and execution of the lease agreement.
All Government properties are managed by the Department as the custodian of all real properties. All leased properties are inspected monthly to ensure compliance with the lease terms and conditions by our team of Property Inspectors. Noncompliant tenants may be reported to VIWMA, and/or our sister agencies DPNR or DLCA for business deficiencies and/or environmental violations.
The Virgin Islands (deemed a “state” for applicability under federal processes) is required to follow its own procurement laws in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317. Therefore, Department User Agencies are required to follow the provisions of Title 31, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 23, and all the associated rules and regulations when procuring goods and services using federal grant awards.
Yes, through commercial insurance for property damage and through the Government’s Self – Insurance mechanisms for third party liability.
No. Pursuant to Title 31, Section 232(3) and Title 3, Section 218(a)(8) of the Virgin Islands Code, DPP is responsible for leasing office space on behalf of the Government. Therefore, all agencies must contact the Department of Property and Procurement – Division of Property for all leasing needs.
The Government is not responsible for structural or exterior repairs in Office leases. However, depending on the terms negotiated, the user agency may be responsible for minor interior repairs.
Lessees are responsible for all repairs and maintenance of the properties pursuant to the terms of the leases. DPP must inspect the properties to ensure Lessees are in compliance with the lease terms and to protect the Government’s interest.
No, however, interested parties may contact the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.
Start with submitting an Application to Lease Real Estate, with the required supporting documents to property@dpp.vi.gov, for review by the DPP. The Division will make contact with further instructions.
No, leaseholders are responsible for the renovation and build out of leased properties.
For all leases in excess of one year, approval is necessary from the Commissioner of DPP, the Attorney General for legal sufficiency, the Governor of the Virgin Islands, and the Virgin Islands Legislature.
After a proposal is submitted, accepted, and agreed upon by DPP and all required documentation is submitted it usually takes an average of three (3) months to process based on the appraisal time.
A short-term agreement is for one (1) year or less, and a long-term agreement is for more than one (1) year.
The GVI pursuant to policy does NOT sell property but leases property through short or long-term lease agreements.
The cost varies based on the appraisals and is calculated based on the property type, condition, size, location and zoning.