It is always important when investing in North Cyprus property - as anywhere - to get the property title deeds. It is 100% safe to buy property in North Cyprus...if you have the right title deed.
This title comes in four formats.
1. Pre 1974 Turkish Freehold Title
This is the title for land or property owned by a Turkish Cypriot before 1974. Property in this category can be registered in your name after approval has been sought by the Council of Ministers. Foreign buyers are limited to the purchase of one donum of land per person - a married couple count as one person unless they have different surnames.
The whole procedure for obtaining this approval can take up to 6 months.
2. Pre 1974 Foreign Freehold Title
This is the title for land or property owned by a foreign national (i.e. non Turkish Cypriot) before 1974. This would relate to property with a title deed (kocan) that has been owned since before 1974 by a non-Cypriot.
Property in this category requires no approval of the Council of Ministers.
3. TRNC Exchange Title
This is the title for land or property given to a Turkish Cypriot in exchange for land and property they owned in south Cyprus before 1974, and which they were forced to leave behind on moving to the North. The government assessed the value of both land and goods left behind, and allocated the land or property in the North, in exchange for the waiving of the rights to their land in the south. The original pre-1974 owner of the land or property would have been Greek Cypriot. This is also known as the Esdeger (pronounced Esh-day-air).
4. TRNC TMD Title
This is the title for land given to Turkish Cypriots for military or government service, or to Turkish settlers to encourage economic growth in certain parts of the North, after 1974. As with the Esdeger, the original pre-1974 owner of the land or property would have been Greek Cypriot, who abandoned the land or property after 1974.
No Deeds Property in North Cyprus and Leasehold Properties