How many types of Title Deed exist in the TRNC? And what are the differences between them?
Due to the division of Cyprus in 1974, different types of deeds have come into existence, and it is important that you are aware of the type which you purchase.
The first of these is Turkish title deeds. This means that the property/land was Turkish Cypriot- owned pre-1974. This type of title deed carries no risk to the purchaser.
The second is “Es Deger”- meaning ‘of equal value’. This type of title deed was Greek-owned pre-1974, after the war. However, the Greek owners abandoned their land and fled to the South, as did the Turkish Cypriots from the South to the North. Therefore this land was then given to Turkish Cypriots in return for land which they left behind in South Cyprus. This kind of deed may possibly carry a certain risk in the way of compensation, which is now handled by the Immoveable Property Commission. As of 29th January 2014, 5749 applications have been lodged with the Commission and 476 of them have been concluded through friendly settlements and 11 through formal hearing. The Commission has paid GBP 145,019,701 to the applicants as compensation. Moreover, it has ruled for exchange and compensation in two cases, for restitution in one case and for restitution and compensation in five cases. In one case it has delivered a decision for restitution after the settlement of Cyprus Issue, and in one case it has ruled for partial restitution. For more information on the IPC, click here: www.tamk.gov.ct.tr
The Third of these title deeds is TMD Land. TMD lands at the time (after the war) were unoccupied lands which were only used as agricultural lands. These lands were used as a government incentive to increase the population in the TRNC by allocating lands to mainland Turkish citizens for agricultural and farming purposes. In recent years the law changed enabling persons to be able to take ownership of the land and to settle in the TRNC. This kind of title deed may also possibly carry the risk of compensation (only if construction has begun on the land).