I received this e-mail a few days ago from someone who has been very badly affected by the property situation in northern Cyprus, as have very many others.
I am putting it on the blog to stress just how careful you need to be. My strong advice is still not to buy in the north of Cyprus.
“You are quite right to speak out about the property scandal in northern Cyprus. I lived there for 2 years after buying property there in 2004 and still haven’t had my permission to purchase approved (although my TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) solicitor told me it was a formality). Thousands are in the same position and as almost no-one is able to get title deeds I have been unable to sell the property which is now derelict (a loss of £75,000 to me and the cause of the break up of my marriage). I am in regular contact with the AGA buyers’ action group and all their members are in the same predicament.
“Well done for highlighting this issue and if anyone disagrees with you please feel free to re-direct them to me for the truth.”
If anyone reading this would like to make contact as offered, please let me know and I will redirect you.
Filed under: Labour Party | Tagged: northern Cyprus, property abroad
Hello Mary – thank you for meeting with me last week in the European Parliament. When we spoke very briefly on Cyprus you agreed that it was very important for MEPs to have balance when it comes to issues pertaining to our beautiful island. The query you flag is not unique to North Cyprus. In figures quoted in the Cyprus Mail there are some 30,000 Brits who have serious problems relating to lack of access to title deeds too. I think if anyone is seriously thinking about investing in Cyprus, be it the North or South they should really do their homework and look to use reputable people in any transactions. The Demopolous ruling at the ECHR has made the issue clearer although clearly even the 2 Cypriot leaders are still having difficulty reaching any sort of agreement on property.
Please don’t brand all purchase in North Cyprus with the same brush. I bought in Turkey three years ago and looks as if I have lost all my money – refused permission to purchase, and all through an English Priest who was running an Estate Agency. The fight is not over, as it is not over for many I know personally who have problems in North Cyprus. I have one as well, but living here has many rewards, and just to be able to know one won’t get a knife in one’s back due to the very low crime rate (most of the crime seems to be in the property sector), to enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle far cheaper than anywhere else in this popular part of the world, and to share life with the warmth of the Cypriot people, all far outweigh problems that one can encounter elsewhere in the world. At least we don’t have to have five dustbins sitting outside the gate.
Many of us believe the gvernment will sort these problems out,but evenif you are right, I would recommend people come and rent – don’;t stay away, but find a way to be part of a lifestyle envied by many.!