Buying property in Northern Cyprus: you should pay attention to this
Cyprus is a beautiful island that has been in crisis for many years. This means that the tensions and emotions on both sides of the border are real, which greatly influences daily life here. This reality should definitely be considered before buying real estate here.
Turkish Cypriot and other (especially British) property sellers like to downplay the problems associated with buying houses or land.
The economy of northern Cyprus has been on an upswing since the Turkish government granted tax breaks for property purchases by foreign investors. The unprecedented growth in this sector not only benefits local communities, but also strengthens international recognition and confidence in these areas.
Corruption in real estate trading
Greek Cypriots are right to point out the illegality and immorality of acquiring real estate that belonged to the Greeks before their country invaded. After 1974, these refugees were forced into exile from their villages when Turkish forces took possession of everything. Today, many of them live in southern Cyprus. Forced into exile, these Cypriots refuse to visit their home country because they believe that it is not morally justifiable as long as there is Turkish rule.
When you buy a property in Northern Cyprus, you should be sure that it belongs to you and not someone else. You should also know the legal status of the country you purchase after you buy it, and what could possibly happen after a reunion.
The acquisition of formerly Greek Cypriot property in northern Cyprus is considered illegal internationally. A political agreement could have far-reaching consequences for people who want to buy or sell their houses, apartments or land on the island.
Who is the rightful owner?
The European Court of Human Rights has finally taken a decision in the long-running Cyprus conflict and stipulated that Greek Cypriots are actually the “only true and lawful owners” of their expropriated land.
The Court’s groundbreaking ruling means that the property rights of those who seized the land decades ago during the Turkish occupation will never be lost or changed!
A British couple was told to demolish their house after it was built on Greek Cypriot land. However, they could lose both houses if the British court orders the same measure against them in the UK too!
Title deeds are important to check!
When you buy a property, it’s important to make sure that the title deed is in order. Greek Cypriots were forced to leave their homes and land when they were occupied by Turkey during the war (1974). Turkish authorities have forced settlers from mainland Turkey and Turkish refugees to move to empty houses in northern Cyprus.
The final purchase contract must be signed by both parties. It’s important to make sure that the property hasn’t been expropriated by a Greek Cypriot. When there is hope of reunification, it’s important that you know your rights. If the property originally belonged to Greek Cypriots in Cyprus and they reclaim their land after independence or unification, you could lose it all!
You should always ask the Northern Nicosia land registry authority to check your certificate before you buy it. An independent lawyer must also sign the status and validity of the certificate. So make sure that there are no mistakes in this regard!
There can be three cases:
1. There is no title deed
Without a title deed, ownership of a property is questionable. Buying property at bargain prices will be riskier and more expensive than it seems as the true owner may want to reclaim their land after Cyprus reunifies!
Buying property without a title deed is extremely risky and can lead to legal problems. Even brokers who offer title deeds for TRNC properties advise against it for this reason. Title deeds are very important to determine ownership of land or buildings on those properties.
2. TRNC certificates
The TRNC title deeds are known as “kesin tasarruf” or “absolute title deed”. This means that these documents give the holder complete control over a piece of land and all its properties, without any legal restrictions.
When the Turks invaded Cyprus in 1974, many Greek Cypriots were forced to move north and leave their possessions behind. This led them to the area now known as “Turkish Cyprus,” where they acquired new property. The Turkish occupiers estimated the value of the lost land of these people and gave them a corresponding score. These points gave many Turkish Cypriots the opportunity to take new lands.
The government of the Turkish Republic has given away many properties to settlers from mainland Turkey, and it is believed that these gifts were often given as thanks for services provided in Cyprus.
For a TRNC certificate number, the track number should be carefully checked before you make a decision.
3. The clean land ownership deed
The best type of deed is a clean land title, and it’s almost impossible to find it in Northern Cyprus. The only exception is those that were issued without the letter sequence “TRNC” at the beginning because they are internationally recognized.
Important information about real estate agents!
When buying a property in Northern Cyprus, it is important that you consult with an experienced real estate agent. The pitfalls of buying from foreign nationals are many and can be difficult if you can’t protect yourself properly with your country’s laws or related regulations. Even with a real estate agent, you’re not 100% protected, as there are traps here too. So follow the instructions mentioned and keep your eyes open.
Conclusion: Don’t get involved in the first offer!
It is very important that you are sure that you have a legitimate owner’s certificate before you buy. Otherwise, there may be legal problems. This can get pretty expensive if you lose everything you build on this property.
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