Cyprus-Forum.com

[eracles]

Just wondering - What will happen to these thieves in places like Kyrenia? Will they get to stay in their stolen property in the event of a solution?
What kind of risks does someone buying in Kyrenia take, considering this land is unlikely to be returned?
I'd rather turkish settlers stay than these types of people.

[EricSeans]

erecles,

Follow some of the north-based BBs and you'll see that there are some Brits there who are not afraid of speaking out against the immoral and ignorant who surround them.

[Magnus]

Surely those who can prove that they have legally purchased their land can stay (e.g. those who bought TC properties). Those who have purchased land belonging to GCs will have to get out. Obviously they will try and blame the people who sold them the land (good luck finding them) but ultimately they should get nothing.

There are enough warnings about the dangers of buying land in the 'TRNC' so ignorance is no excuse.

[eracles]

but magnus, can you really see this happening?
I guess the question is - will GC land be returned to its rightful owner? in the event of 'no right to return' will the GC owner (or whover is the legal land owner) be able to sell the land themselves?

[EricSeans]

eracles,

What do you think should happen?

[Magnus]

but magnus, can you really see this happening?
I guess the question is - will GC land be returned to its rightful owner? in the event of 'no right to return' will the GC owner (or whover is the legal land owner) be able to sell the land themselves?

Unfortunately it's one of these things that it is impossible to predict. It's a bit like saying 'when will there be a solution?' I know that the 'properties commission' in the 'TRNC' is happy to buy land from the GCs for a pittance so if anyone got really desparate or gave up hope then they could always sell it to those crooks.

Maybe in time some shady criminals will set up private companies to buy the land and offer slightly better cash for it than the 'properties commission' (assuming people aren't already doing it).

Perhaps some of our resident TCs might enlighten us as to what the official policy of the 'TRNC' is regarding properties that are occupied by British Ex-pats and other non-TCs/Turks...

[eracles]

I think whatever the solution. The original deeds should be respected. Therefore on unbuilt land land can be sold as wished.
The tricky part is the land houses are built on which is probably why so much building is being done right now, even though it looks like many properties are remaining unsold.
I think with these properties:
1. Land is returned to GC, they can choose to demolish existing builing or sell to current 'owner' at appropriate market rate.
2. Where house is demolished compensation would be paid by Turkey to the ex-pats or nothing at all.
3. No central government of Cyprus would pay compensation to expats
4. Ultimately land belongs to orignal deed-holders, they can choose what to do with their land.

You said what I'd like, the reality is a whole lot more complicated even if the above should happen! Which of course is highly unlikely

[Nikitas]

Politicians know how to look after themselves. No doubt there will be a clause clearing politicians of all possible blameworthy actions before a solution is established.

One possible form of relief is to recognise the ownership of the land subject to the possession of the building, ie the freehold remains and the building has an indefinite leasehold till it collapses or is abandoned. No right of sale or devolution will attach to the building.

If the GC owners are compensated the question arises who pays the money. It would be daft to tax the GC community inorder to pay GCs money for land now occupied by people who knew of its dodgy nature when they bought it. Presumably someone will have to come up with the money, Britain maybe, since the UK government knew of the situation but took no active steps to stop it, its citizens are the biggest buyers, and it did nothing more than a general warning, which obviously was not enough. And the other countries whose nationals dealt in stolen land can dig in their pockets and pay up too although they are far fewer.

[Nikitas]

And for those bleeding hearts who will come up with excuses, the European Court of Human Rights issued repeated decisions clearly saying that the original owners are still the legal owners and that the occupation and acts of the regime do not change that legality.

If inspite of the judgements of Europe's highest court they went ahead and bought, well, tough!

[EricSeans]

There is no official policy other than all title deeds are now considered "Turkish" and guranteed by the "state". The local land registry will not allow property searches for private buyers and no longer distinguishes between GC and TC/foreign title deeds. The only way an ordinary punter can establish the legal origin of a property is to do your own research from the seller and around the neighbourhood, and back this up with a search at the RoC land registry in Nicosia. If it comes up positive you are issued with a document of legal ownership which means (in theory) you can sell your property without using or even telling the Turkish authorities.

but magnus, can you really see this happening?
I guess the question is - will GC land be returned to its rightful owner? in the event of 'no right to return' will the GC owner (or whover is the legal land owner) be able to sell the land themselves?

Unfortunately it's one of these things that it is impossible to predict. It's a bit like saying 'when will there be a solution?' I know that the 'properties commission' in the 'TRNC' is happy to buy land from the GCs for a pittance so if anyone got really desparate or gave up hope then they could always sell it to those crooks.

Maybe in time some shady criminals will set up private companies to buy the land and offer slightly better cash for it than the 'properties commission' (assuming people aren't already doing it).

Perhaps some of our resident TCs might enlighten us as to what the official policy of the 'TRNC' is regarding properties that are occupied by British Ex-pats and other non-TCs/Turks...