Overseas Property Bali

The Indonesian Island of Bali is a a relatively tiny droplet of land that sits serenely in the Indian Ocean and measures just 90km by 140km, meaning you are never too far from a beautifully pristine beach. This stunning island is a firm favourite with holidaymakers seeking out the exotic – over 1.6 million people visited Bali in 2007, a phenomenal 32% increase on the year before. And as we know, where the tourists go, the property developers and investors soon follow, so there really is no better time to investigate the investment potential on this maginificent island.

With an ancient culture which has massive roots in a number of arts – most notably dance – Bali is endlessly intriguing at every step and jaw-droppingly beautiful as well. For every one of the 20,000-plus palaces and temples, there are untouched tropical forests, virginal beaches, verdant valleys and friendly people, waiting with a smile and a welcoming warmth. Aside from the exceptional climate, it is the people of Bali that are its best asset; humble, genuine and skilled in a number of important trades such as sculpting, metalworking, music and painting, Bali’s locals will make you feel right at home, which is just as well, because soon you may own property there!

Capital: Denpasar
Population: 3,150,000
Time: GMT +8
Dialing: 62
Currency: Rupiah (IDR)

Climate: With year-round sunshine, a protected coastline and seasons that bring few natural weather phenomenons, the climate on Bali is one of the most appealing found anywhere in the world. Temperatures rarely drop below 15ºc, and the dry summer season regulary sees the mercury push past 35ºc. The wet season – from May to September - is humid and warm yet rarely monsoon-like in its intensity.

Getting There: From the UK, flying to Bali is obviously something of a trek, made easier by the proliferation of top-class airlines that fly close to the island from Heathrow, including British Airways, Virgin and Qantas. A popular route is to fly to Bangkok or Australia, and get a connecting flight. Direct flights between Denpasar and Heathrow are, hopefully, on the horizon.

Special Features: Bali is world-renowned for its gorgeous coral reefs, making it a haven for scuba divers; the island marks the divide between the Indomalayan Ecozone and Australasia, resulting in an abundance of unique flora and fauna; Bali is a popular destination for international conferences.

Buying Property in Bali: Property in Bali represents a bold, but potentially rewarding, investment. The island’s close proximity to wealthy Australia makes it a good investment option if you can purchase good quality accommodation that is situated in one of the more popular resorts; strong short and long-term rental potential is apparent all year round in the resorts of Kuta and Seminyak, while Padang Bay and Sanur are growing in popularity each year.

Again, thanks to interest from Australian property buyers, the infrastructure throughout the island is improving, with a growing number of English-speaking expat communities dotted throughout the land. With limited land availability, investors hoping to purchase property in Bali should act fast.

The property buying process is not as straightforward as many other countries, but the potential benefits far outweigh any hassles; firstly, freehold ownership is not available for foreign nationals, and a leasehold of 25 years (with a maximum extension of 30 years on top) is only available to foreign limited companies, although these are relatively straightforward to set up. A local, expert property solicitor will be able to advise how a foreign national can purchase their land via power of attorney – we recommend that, if this is what you wish to do, you seek independent legal advice.