Property and matrimonial asset matters in Bangladesh involve an intersection of personal law, property legislation, and registration requirements. LegalBD advises on property acquisition, title due diligence, matrimonial financial settlements, and NRB property matters.
Immovable Property Law in Bangladesh
Immovable property transactions in Bangladesh are governed by the Transfer of Property Act 1882, the Registration Act 1908, and the Non-Agricultural Tenancy Act 1949. All transfers of immovable property above BDT 5,000 in value must be completed by registered deed at the Sub-Registrar's office. Proper title due diligence — including chain of title verification, search at the Sub-Registrar's records, mutation (khatian) check at the revenue authority, and encumbrance search — is essential before any property purchase.
NRB Property Purchase
Non-resident Bangladeshis may purchase immovable property in Bangladesh. Purchase consideration may be remitted from abroad through an authorised dealer bank and credited to a Non-Resident Foreign Currency Deposit Account. Proper documentation of the inward remittance is essential to establish the right to repatriate sale proceeds in the future. LegalBD conducts title due diligence, drafts sale deeds and agreements to sell, manages the Sub-Registrar registration, and advises on NRB-specific banking and regulatory requirements.
Matrimonial Financial Settlement
There is no statutory provision in Bangladeshi law for automatic equal division of matrimonial property on divorce (unlike England and Wales, for example). Property remains owned by the spouse who holds legal title. Claims by a wife on dissolution of marriage may arise from: unpaid prompt or deferred mehr; maintenance obligations; property held on resulting or constructive trust from joint contributions; and gifts or property placed in the wife's name. LegalBD advises on the available claims in each situation and negotiates matrimonial financial settlements that reflect the equities.