Cyprus Property - How to Buy Land Safely
Buying Land
For planning purposes, Cyprus is divided into various zones. These include residential, agricultural, animal rearing, industrial, green belt, and tourist zones. Some zones limit or prohibit the construction of domestic dwellings. You must ensure that the land you buy is in an appropriate zone.
Build(ing) Factor: The maximum number of square metres that you are allowed to build expressed as a percentage of the land area.
Site Coverage: The maximum area of the site that can be occupied by a building’s ground floor expressed as a percentage of the land area.
Detached property must have a gap of at least 3 metres from the edge of the property to the boundary. Note that non-habitable buildings, such as a garage, can be built on the boundary. But if the property is next to a designated ‘green area’, you are not permitted to have any covered building within 3 metres of the boundary abutting the green area.
When buying land, it is important to buy Building land - in Greek οικόπεδο (pronounced ikόpedo). Building land is usually easy to identify because the word οικόπεδο appears on the Title Deed.
This means that utility services (water, electricity and telephone) will be available on the land and there will be a right of way giving vehicular access to the plot.
When viewing land, make absolutely sure that what you are being shown is the land that is being sold. Ask the vendor for a copy of the Title Deed and the Lands’ Office Site Plan and then check that the sheet/plan/plot/references written on the Title Deed agree with those on the Site Plan.
Look at the Site Plan; from its boundaries, shape and location, look around you and identify roads,buildings, and other features shown on the Site Plan.
Walk away if the vendor is unable or unwilling to provide you with a copy of the Title Deed or the Lands’ Office Site Plan. The Title Deed will show the area of the plot and the planning zone in which it’s located.
Land search
Having found land that you wish to buy, the next stage involves a land search.
You can carry out the search yourself by visiting the District Lands’ Office and Town Planning Office and speaking with the officials there. However, it’s probably best to have your solicitor do this on your behalf.
But if you wish to conduct this yourself you can.
Details can be found at:
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It is perfectly legal in Cyprus to sell land and other property that has charges, such as a mortgage, outstanding against it. However, you will not be able to own the property until its present owner has cleared the debt.
Should the owner not clear the debt, the creditor(s) can pursue their claim against the property, which may be enforced in a court of law.
John Mason is the owner and author of http://downtoearthcyprus.net. Down to Earth,Cyprus provides all you need to know about property purchase and finance in Cyprus.Your Definitive Guide to Buying Real Estate in the Republic of Cyprus.
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