North Cyprus Property Title Deeds

It is safe to buy in North Cyprus provided the right title deed applies to the property. There are three types of freehold title in North Cyprus

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 they owned in the South. 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 of their pre - 1974 Greek Cypriot title deeds and most of them were expropriated by TRNC government and granted to Turkish Cypriots.

Pre-1974 Clean Freehold title Land in Northern Cyprus which was owned before 19 74 by Turkish Cypriots, English Expatriates and other nationalities is regarded as having 'clean freehold title' and therefore attracts a premium, when sold for re-development or as part of a completed development project.

Exchange Land. Many Greek Cypriots fled south in 1974 and Turkish Cypriots fled North, though in lesser numbers, both leaving behind them homes, land and buildings. The TRNC government have for many years operated an 'exchange' system (known as 'Esdeger' pronounced 'eshtare'), whereby Turkish Cypriots who left land and property behind in the South could register their 'loss' with the TRNC, and were instead awarded points enabling them to take over land and property in the North which was abandoned by Greek Cypriots fleeing south, on an 'exchange' basis.

Turkish Mainland Deed (TMD) Land. After the conflict, the TRNC awarded land which was unoccupied to war veterans or their families and invited citizens of mainland Turkey to re-settle in the TRNC in order to boost the population.

49 Year Leases. Some property has been offered by the TRNC on 49 year leases