The
British interest in the island dates back to the 12th century and has remained
until present day with many British ways being adopted by the
We
are your British contact to provide information on properties and to arrange
buying trips, where if you do buy the seller will pay for your trip and if you
don’t they won’t – it’s as simple as that! But you will find it difficult to
resist buying, since you get a lot more for your money, it’s a real investment
and it offers a wonderful holiday or retirement home in one of the most
hospitable environments including a superb all year weather package.
The
Its neighbouring lands at the nearest coastal points are Turkey 40 miles north,
Syria 60 miles east, Lebanon 108 miles south-east, Israel 180 miles south-east
and Egypt 230 miles south.
The British interest in the island dates back to the 12th century and has
remained until present day with many British ways being adopted by the
government of the
Climate:
The climate of the island is an eastern Mediterranean type with long, hot
summers and relatively cool, short winters. There are over 300 days of sunshine
a year, the sea temperature is rarely below 16°C and rises to 28-30°C during
summer months, making Northern Cyprus one of the healthiest places in the world
in which to live. The air condition is excellent and
many respirations difficulties either disappears of significantly reduce as a
consequence.
Shopping:
There is an extensive range of consumer goods and services available throughout
the island. Many of the popular imported brand names are readily available and
can be found in local supermarkets. Fresh local produce can be purchased from a
wide variety of markets and small stores and there is wide range of wines and
spirits at very low costs: retailing at approximately. VAT (KDV) is levied on
most goods and services with rates ranging from 20% down to 2%.
Banking:
Investments:
Foreign investment is actively encouraged by the government of
Education:
General education standards in the TRNC are of a very high standard and are
borne out by the fact that there are four universities based in
Medical:
The cost of medical treatment in the local hospitals is lower than comparative
care in the
Churches:
The Anglican Church of St. Andrew’s, Kyrenia is
conveniently located near the town centre and services are held on Sundays and
Thursdays. All Christian communities are welcome. The Roman Catholic Church is
also based in the centre of Kyrenia with mass being
celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Other Christian churches
are located in
Other Useful Information
Electricity:
The supply is 220/240v AC 50HZ, with a standard
Telecommunication:
International telecommunication facilities are a rapidly growing sector of the
economy. The company responsible for all telecommunication also provides telex,
fax, telegram transmission and ISDN/e-mail facilities. When making
international calls the cheap rates are from
BUYERS
GUIDE
The timescale for purchase will to a large degree depend upon the type of title
that exists.
Buying a Turkish or TRNC title property will require a number of checks to be
carried out by the Ministry of Interior, and therefore this type of purchase
will take approximately 6-8 months to complete.
There are a number of types of title deed in North Cyprus:
a) Foreign ownership pre-1974: For example British, with title deed.
Property in this category provides the quickest route to purchase as there is
no requirement for Council of Ministers approval.
b) Turkish Cypriot owned pre-1974: Before the property can be registered
in your name, an application must be made to the Council of Ministers for
approval. The procedure for obtaining approval can take up to 6 months.
c) TRNC: - absolute possession document - title deed. Land or
property, originally owned by a Greek Cypriot prior to 1974, with title deeds
issued by the TRNC Government on a points basis in compensation for land given
up in the South. The owner of such a title deed is allowed to sell to foreigners.
It seems unlikely in any settlement of the dispute between the North and South,
that anyone who has been so compensated through Government issue of such a
title deed, or indeed any subsequent purchaser of such title, will loose the
value of such issue or purchase. We consider almost all such purchases very
safe and we can advise you further on the purchase of this type of title.
d) Greek Cypriot pre-1974: Land or property, where there are no title
deeds. Some people offer for sale, such properties without registered deeds for
relatively small amounts of money. We advise against such purchases.
e) Contractual or "cases pending" land or property: These are
properties where title deeds were never issued, due to delays at the time of
the division of the island in 1974. Following the formation of a Turkish
Cypriot Government, a statement was issued that all foreign land and property
ownership, once registered, would be respected. This has been done and the
first cases have been to court, and as long as the owner can substantiate his
original payment for the property, then deeds are issued and are safe to
purchase. Purchase before formal issue of deeds needs should be cautioned and
subject to legal advice.
f) Lease from Government: It is also possible to lease land or property
from the Government. These are usually derelict houses, which the Government
will lease out for periods up to 49 years to foreigners who renovate the
property at their own expense, and who pay a nominal ground rent for the lease
period.
The process for buying a freehold property is as follows:
1. Decide the best property for you and agree price.
2. Contract drawn up by solicitor, setting down the terms of sale, i.e.
price, timescale, vendor, purchaser, and any special conditions.
3. All relevant paperwork to be signed by vendor and purchaser.
4. Purchaser provides 10% deposit.
5. Solicitor applies for a Purchase Permit from the Council of
Ministers, (takes 6 to 8 months).
6. As soon as purchase permit is received, remaining balance due from
purchaser.
7. Purchaser pays balance and Vendor signs title deed into name of
purchaser.
8. Sale completed.
Buying from a foreigner (i.e. English, German etc.)
The checks have already been carried out by ministry and therefore the process
will be a lot simpler and quicker.
1. Decide the best property for you and agree price.
2. Solicitor prepares contract as before and sets timescale.
3. Vendor and purchaser sign contract.
4. Purchaser pays full amount, unless a delayed completion is agreed in
which case purchaser pays a 10% deposit and remaining balance on completion.
5. Title transferred to purchaser’s name.
6. Sale completed.
Process for buying a leasehold property is as follows:
The process to purchase is much the same as freehold purchases, however,
instead of an application going to the Ministry of Interior, you must apply
either directly or via a solicitor to the Ministry of Tourism, who will grant
the leases.
At the time of application a deposit of 10% must be paid and held on behalf of the
Vendor. Once the application is accepted, the sale can proceed to completion at
a convenient time for both vendor and purchaser. At this stage the lease will
be transferred into name of the buyer.
1. Decide the best property for you and agree price.
2. Contract drawn up by solicitor agreeing terms & conditions.
3. Vendor & purchaser sign.
4. Vendor applies to Tourism Office to transfer lease.
5. Purchaser applies to take over lease. (May include personal
interview)
6. Once Purchaser application is approved, 10% deposit transferred.
7. On completion, remaining balance paid over to vendor and lease
transferred.
8. Sale completed.
The typical costs of buying property:
The main costs incurred are as follows:
- Purchase permit application, e.g. TRNC or original Turkish title = £1000
- Contract of transfer – e.g. foreign title = £600
- Stamp Duty = 6% of valuation levied by Land Registry
- Legal fees.