Find Your Perfect Property in Sri Lanka

Most landlords ask for a refundable security deposit, commonly two to three months' rent, plus rent paid in advance. For apartments in Colombo, paying several months to a year in advance is common, though this varies by landlord and is often negotiable. Make sure the deposit, the advance and the refund terms are written into the lease agreement.

Have a lawyer (notary) check the title deed and the chain of earlier deeds, usually going back around 30 years; Land Registry extracts confirming ownership and any mortgages or other encumbrances; the survey plan; and local authority documents such as the street line and non-vesting certificates and, for a building, the approved plan and Certificate of Conformity. For an apartment, also check the condominium plan.

Foreigners generally cannot buy freehold land in Sri Lanka, but they can buy condominium apartments, typically on the fourth floor or above, and can lease land long-term. The rules have changed over the years, so confirm the current position with a lawyer before committing to a purchase.

Buyers usually pay stamp duty on the deed (in the Western Province, 3% on the first LKR 100,000 and 4% on the remainder), the notary's fees for preparing and attesting the deed, and the Land Registry fee to register it. Ask your lawyer for a full estimate before you sign.

Browse listings on Cilo, filtering by sale or rent, property type, city and price. When you find a property you're interested in, send an inquiry from its page with your name and contact details, and the Cilo team will get back to you about it.