Linden Lab fixes database pothole

Basic members can now “buy” estate land from island owners

by Pollywog Gardenvale

On February 20th, Linden Lab announced an immediate end to the First Land program, which was originally intended to help first-time land buyers. The program was discontinued because it was being exploited by land speculators who were buying huge chunks of first-land.

As part of the April 4th update, another change was made in the way estate land sales are managed. Now, residents without payment information on file—meaning those with only a basic, free membership—can purchase estate land. The term “estate land” refers to land on privately-held islands that are not a part of the Linden-run mainland.

Previously, the only way a basic “No Payment Information on File” user could “buy” land was for the land owner to create a group, invite the users to join, make the user an owner, deed the land to the group, and then leave the group.

Unfortunately, not all land owners are honest and there have been cases of misrepresentation and fraud.

Private island real estate transactions often consist of the first month’s rent or a small amount that forces the transaction to be recorded as a land sale. However, Linden Lab is not a party to such transactions and payment is usually made directly to the land owner through PayPal.

Although it has always been permissible for a NPIOF user to buy estate land from a private party, the system did not recognize such transactions.

Since the change was announced, some residents have downgraded their premium accounts to avoid the monthly membership and tier fees associated with owning Linden land. However, the question remains: Do such purchases really transfer ownership of the estate land, or are they simply sub-leasing the property?

In any event, the island owner is the one who pays a monthly maintenance fee of $295 to Linden Lab for use of the server.