Issue with transfer of title deeds

[finchy]

We are ready to transfer but, our builder says he hasn't got the funds to cover his side of the transfer.
Basically, he could say this for years to come.
What percentage does he have to pay?
What happens if your builder isn't even trading anymore?

[cyprusishome]

finchy,
I am sorry to say but this appears to be a con that has developed over the years we have been here, ie one did it and it worked so let us all do it.
We have friends who were told by there builder that they pay his taxes or they do not get their deeds, £15k in addition the builder demanded a further £1200 for his signature. Unfortunately you either pay or...

It is robbery that is not tackled by those in power because many are on that same gravy train. Hopefully you can come to a more positive outcome because I write from sore experience.

[sophie]

We had to pay out thousands i.e. our taxes and that of the builder who pleaded poverty. At the time he was (and still is) a very senior member of this Government and rolling in dosh. It only took one builder to realise that he could do it and most (but not all) just threw their hands in the air and negated responsibility. I hope you are more lucky than we were.

[Jonnie]

We are ready to transfer but, our builder says he hasn't got the funds to cover his side of the transfer.
Basically, he could say this for years to come.
What percentage does he have to pay?
What happens if your builder isn't even trading anymore?

If you are using an Advocate the best thing you can do is ask him to find out what the total payment is or at least give you an idea. Then you can make a descision from there. Having everything in order will ultimately make your hose more marketable and sellable and should realise a better price in the long term.

Our experience was a bit different from most, 1 parcel in out boundary had been sold to the person who had sold us the house, the tax on that parcel which was still in the builders name had been sold by him to the previous owners for less than the tax that was being asked on it, in this case I am with the builder! Thankfully the person he had sold the parcel to coughed up.

I would happily by another house here but I would only buy a house in the vendors name with the house on the kocan and all taxed paid.

[mrsgee]

Another little scam which can catch you out, is the landowner, who may not necessarily be the builder, demanding a non contractual payment to transfer the deeds at the last minute.........you have not got much option but to pay, and it can be thousands....as we found out to our expense. Forget contracts they are pretty useless. Even the sols recommended we pay up.

[CatalkoyChris]

To all future potential buyers.
Get a good solicitor right from the start of the process.
Don't buy something that needs building, buy something that is built already and has all the paperwork ready.

If you really have to build, make sure you own the land or have complete rights to the land.
Then get some friendly builders from the UK to come over. Or take recommendations (don't trust builders in the TRNC, history tells us this).

In all of the stages make sure everything is in order 100% before proceeding to the next.
Keep a lump sum secreted aside somewhere in case things do go wrong and you have to spend your way out of it.

Communicate any issues out. If a builder or organisation gets a bad reputation they wont like it, likewise give praise where its due.
Keep all emails and other communications.

Lastly, my advice is to study carefully the house buying process. It took me two years to fully understand what was going on (and what I wanted) before i even started looking at shiny properties. My house buying process went sweet as a nut, the solicitor was great and I got the Kocan two years after signing on the dotted line.

[eagleyemonkey]

Please can I ask who your Solicitor was CatalkoyChris?
I am looking for a recommendation.

[Jonnie]

If it helps I have had dealings with Naomi Mehmet, Emine Kolac and Okrays. I would highly recommend the first 2.

[CatalkoyChris]

I dealt with naomi mehmet. Very professional.