Why you shouldn't buy a 'freehold' villa in Bali

I'm not against the idea of expats living here in long-term accommodation. Far from it. What worries me is the tendency to advertise property here as "freehold", as if foreigners can buy property here in the same way as they can in their home country.

You can't. Not without tricky schemes involving local 'name-givers' and a contract which is questionable at best in the eyes of the law, may be unlawful under the Indonesian Constitution and has even resulted in some people losing their property.

I believe that long-term leasing is far safer - and it's legal.

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