Instruction No. 0040/MONRE on land valuation.

Instruction No. 0040/MONRE provides the regulatory framework for land valuation across Lao PDR. The text states that valuation is conducted to implement state land policies, calculate registration fees and income taxes, and determine compensation for land use rights transferred back to the state. It also applies to court-ordered sales, market exchanges, and the use of land as collateral. Valuation is based on Land Valuation Zone Maps and Price Tables, which categorize land by geography, infrastructure, and socio-economic development.
The instruction details two primary valuation methods: a formula-based approach for standard tax and fee collection, and a specific method for unique cases such as compensation or legal disputes. Specific valuations utilize market comparison, cost, or income-based approaches and may require a dedicated Land Valuation Committee. Administratively, provincial departments conduct market surveys to draft valuation data, which is reviewed by district authorities and the Provincial People’s Council before final approval by the Provincial Governor. The text mandates that Land Valuation Price Tables be updated every three years to reflect economic changes. Responsibility for monitoring these standards is assigned to the Department of Lands and relevant local government sectors.