North Cyprus Properties Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is it safe to buy in Northern Cyprus?
A.It is safe to buy in North Cyprus? There are three types of freehold title in North Cyprus what do they mean?
Pre 1974 Turkish Title. This is OK, but very hard to find now.
TRNC Esdeger (Exchange) Title. This means that the Turkish Cypriot owner has been given this land in exchange for the equivalent piece of land he owned in the South Part. This type of land is increasingly hard to find, especially close to the sea.
TRNC TMD Title. This is where no exchange has taken place, and therefore there may be some compensation payable as part of some future political settlement to the Cyprus issue.

Current TRNC Constitution does not make any difference with respect to their pre - 1974 Greek Cypriot title deeds and most of them were expropriated by TRNC government and granted to Turkish Cypriots.
Q. Can I pay for the property from overseas?
A. Of course this can be done quite easily.
Q. What documents are required when purchasing property?
A. Just your passport is required to purchase a property.
Q. Who will do all the paperwork for the sale?
A. We advise all our customers to appoint a solicitor to deal with the paperwork for your permission to purchase and Power of Attorney.
Q. Can we use our own UK solicitor?
A. No, you must use a solicitor based here in North Cyprus. You can use a solicitor of your choice, however we do have solicitors we would be happy to introduce you to, all of an extremely high standard.
Q. How much are solicitor fees?
A. They will charge in a range of 1000 GBP.    
Q. Can I buy a property in North Cyprus from overseas?
A. We have many buyers who due to their busy programmed are unable to visit in the first instance but do not want to miss out. If you do want to buy remotely this is a very easy process and we will be happy to guide you through this every step of the way.
Q. What is the purchase procedure?
A. Once you have chosen your unit type, you will be required to pay a reservation fee of £1,500. Following, You should appoint a solicitor of your choice (we can  recommend) who will deal with the contract. You are able to appoint him/her power of attorney if you are not able to travel across at that time and he can then also apply for the purchase permit from the Interior Ministers office and transfer of title. Most solicitors charge in a range of £1,000 for this service. 
Q. Extra purchase charges
A. The closing costs are at present 6% stamp duty and 5% VAT. These taxes are based on the valuation, by the Tax Authorities, of the cost of replacing the building; therefore this total is lower than 11% of your purchase price. There is currently available a one off opportunity for foreign investors buying for the 1st time, to reduce the stamp duty to 3%. There is also initially a small contract stamp duty to pay; your solicitor will advise you of this cost.
Q. What is the payment plan?
A. We offer flexible payment plans and below is just one example.
Deposit payment 1500 GBP
15% minus deposit on signing of contract
25% completion of foundations
20% completion of  concrete and brickwork shell
25% completion of tiling
15% keys handover
Q. Do units have parking facilities?
A. The Project has sufficient outdoor parking.
Q. Once the property is completed how do I ensure that I am satisfied with the property before making the final payment?
A. At your staged payment time we take photographs and send you via email showing the progress. However, this is a considerable investment on your part and this is probably the most crucial time that you should if possible come out and view your property.
Q. Maintenance charges
A. Expected maintenance charges are in the range of £50 per apartment, per month (depending on unit type and size). Charges will cover all maintenance of shared and public areas, the gardens, swimming pools, fitness centre, security, lighting of shared areas etc. The site management company will offer additional services such as a rental service for owners wishing to rent out their units.
Q. Can I own more than one property at a time?
A. At present you are only allowed to own one property at a time.
However see legal advice for more details.
Q. Any accommodation recommendations?
A. We can recommend some good hotels which charge decent prices from our guests. We also have apartments for you to rent available on site. We will book chosen accommodation for you. 
Q. What are the money and banking regulations in North Cyprus?
A. Northern Cyprus offers a well organized banking system, with many banking facilities catered for. Some local banks operate their own branches in London and others have arrangements with major UK banks. HSBC has a full service presence here in North Cyprus. A deposit account can be opened with ease whether in Sterling pounds or any other major currency and funds can be drawn in that denomination or in Turkish Lira (TL), which is the local currency of North Cyprus. 
Q. What is the climate like?
A. Cyprus has long, hot summers and short mild winters. The island receives around 300 days of sunshine a year and in summer temperatures reach the 40s. The sea temperature even in winter rarely drops below 16 degrees, making the opportunity to swim in clean, clear waters stretch long past the usual summer.
Q. What is the official language spoken?
A. Turkish is the official language, but English is used widely, especially in business.
Q. How long are we allowed to stay on the island legally?
A. You are issued a 3 month tourist visa when you arrive, after which you
must apply for a residents permit.
Q. What is the time difference with the UK ?
A. Northern Cyprus is 2 hours ahead of UK GMT time.
Q. Can I bring my pets with me?
A. Yes, providing that they have the necessary vaccinations on their pet passport form, which will have been completed by your local vet. They then spend a 4 week period in quarantine.
Q. Can I drive with my own license?
A. You can drive with your license for a period of 3 months, after this time you will need to apply for a permanent TRNC driving license. All driving in Cyprus is as UK, on the left.
Q. Can I ship my personal possessions over from UK?
A. There are several container companies that provide this service, we recommend you
obtain a selection of quotes beforehand.
Q. What is the education system like in Northern Cyprus?
A. There are many bi-lingual schools in Northern Cyprus from infant through to University. The level of education given in the schools is generally high.
Q. Will I need permission to live in North Cyprus and if so how do I apply for this?
A. Yes you are required to submit an application to apply for residency in North Cyprus. This is generally a formality but is essential for peace of mind.