Information Buyers Guide Property Title Deeds
Property Title Deeds
North Cyprus Property Title Deeds
The most important factor when buying property from North Cyprus is the title deeds. In North Cyprus there are different types of title deeds, as described below:
The Title Deeds
There are three different types of Title Deeds available in Northern Cyprus:
1. Freehold Title (Foreign or Turkish)
2. TRNC Title (Esdeger or Tahsis)
3. Leasehold Title
Freehold Title:
Freehold Foreign Title: This is property type that prior to and at the time of the conflict and separation was owned by someone other than a Greek or Turkish Cypriot, (e.g. British, German, Dutch etc.) The title deed is internationally recognised and is absolutely safe to purchase. There are a number of checks to be carried out by the Council of Ministers, which means the sale will take approx six months to one year to complete.
Freehold Turkish Title: This is property type that prior to and at the time of the conflict and separation was owned by a Turkish Cypriot. The title deed is internationally recognised and is absolutely safe to purchase. There are a number of checks to be carried out by the Council of Ministers, which means the sale will take approx six months to one year to complete.
T.R.N.C. Title:
Esdeger (Exchange): The property / land was Greek Cypriot owned prior to 1974. When the Turkish Cypriot refugees came to the safety of the North after July 1974, they left their properties and possessions in the South and so the government then assessed on points basis, the value of the refugee's forsaken land in the South and in exchange for that land they were given property / land in the North.
Tahsis: Again the property / land was Greek Cypriot prior to 1974. This is land that the government gave to Turkish people as a gift for services to the government, for example to the families whose sons-soldiers died.
Leasehold Title: This is property that was in the possession of the government who granted a long term forty nine year lease. You can apply directly or through a solicitor to the Ministry of Tourism for a transfer of the lease.