Let down by the BRS?

[Reyntj]

https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-e ... r-each-day

Some answers why here...not thst it helps.

[Tanky]

Jeremy s. As far as I can tell and the message I got from the meeting was. The BRS are not going to make any individual representation. How can they there are SO many of us with problems where do the BRS start and also seen to be fair. It is a complete shambles and, in my opinion, caused by a rushed out set of new laws that were made without consultation to solicitors, estate agents, BRS, TFR etc etc. If they had done that then I am sure the new laws would have been very different. The whole housing, residency issues needs to be reviewed by an independent body and whilst this review is taking place things should have been left alone. OK they were not perfect then but look at what we have got now.
So in answer to the question Jeremy. The BRS said " see your solicitor, take legal advice".
The BRS said at the meeting they were going, to make available to all, the fact of the meeting as put up by the legal representative at the meeting. This was going to be put on Facebook and for those that do not do Facebook I believe it was going to be put onto the BRS website. Has this been done yet?

The BRS, I am sure, was as shocked as we all were with the amount of problems out there and also the complexities of the problems. It was a good meeting by the BRS if only to have more problems openly aired.

[Jeremy S]

For many years, the BRS has been the 'go-to' organisation for the British in NC and has rightly gained a high reputation for its support and advice. Its members have relied on the BRS committee to fight their corner if needed.

Having been involved in committees running various voluntary community groups in the UK over the years, I know it can be a thankless task.

By accepting and taking on a position of responsibility within a voluntary group, I do my utmost to continue the group's aims, uphold its values, and do my humble best to improve the lives of those in the group. If I lacked the knowledge on any occasion to carry out the responsibilities of the position I volunteered for and elected to, be it chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee member, or general dogsbody, in that case, there is no shame in admitting it and standing down in favour of someone else who can.

It has come as a huge shock and disappointment to me and many other BRS members that it now appears the committee has initially decided it is best not to represent them in their hour of need. I am also dismayed at the bullying behaviour of one BRS representative, as Rockpebbler experienced after the recent BRS lecture meeting with Advocate Peyme Erginel. I apologise to him that the BRS representative took such umbrance at what I have said on this forum. I'm pleased that they have, at the least, taken note. Have I hit a sore point? Would their energies trying to trace me and no doubt cancel my BRS membership for daring to speak out be better aimed at finding out their members' issues and taken them to Ministers? If what I have said is wrong, then they say so and explain why.

It appears to me, and I may be wrong, that the current BRS committee has not had the complete information to fully understand the effects of the increased taxes and the extent of the impact of new property laws on their members. Their admitted 'unscientific' survey and interpretation of the 'results' have not helped them decide not to make any representations to Ministers. I can understand that, to some extent, as neither the TRNC legal profession nor Ministers have fully understood either.

Simply saying to their members to speak to their solicitors as they don't get involved in individual legal cases is disingenuous and may unfairly indicate that it has been put in the 'too difficult to handle tray'. It also shows a lack of knowledge in that they are 'advocates', and referring to them as solicitors may give UK citizens the false impression that they will receive the same high level of service, i.e. owed a 'duty of care', etc.

I would also say that individuals generally can not afford to make an expensive legal claim against the government. Why should they? Hopefully, the ministers and parliament will change laws, having heard from representative organisations such as the BRS and TFR, what needs changing to avoid injustice, improve them, and make them work for the country's good.

BRS members and many others are desperately asking for typical examples of problems to be raised with Ministers, not individual legal cases, e.g., shared title deeds, inability to obtain PTP, time limits, etc. The TFR is actively doing this, and I hope the BRS will fully support them.

[rockpebbler]

Jeremy S, Completely agree with all you have said, all BRS members are asking for is help in raising their concerns with Govt Ministers to show the hardship and unfairness in the new legal process.
I had asked in my 2 emails to the BRS that they would reconsider their stance and concerns would be raised in the meetings with ministers. I was not asking or expecting the BRS to fund individual legal cases.
They totally ignored my emails and at the meeting there was no mention of any of the peoples concerns being raised with ministers. I was eventually told that my concerns would be addressed after that meeting, this was not to be, as all I got was verbal abuse for using Kibkom to voice my concerns. The latest update is I have now had my membership cancelled by the BRS Committee for brining the BRS into disrepute, so it seems to be if you speak up against the BRS then the answer is to cancel your membership.

[Tanky]

rockpebbler. So sorry to hear what the BRS have done to you. A very poor show indeed. There I have said it so maybe now I will face the same. Who knows.
Just as they had their last meeting with Peymen Ergenel I think another meeting should be organised and this time have some ministers there. I know the BRS have meetings with the ministers however, as was very much noticed at the last meeting, they do not FULLY understand the FULL problems we all have. As was pointed out many years ago the BRS is there for all members.

[Tanky]

For those that were not at the BRS meeting there is a very good article in this weeks Cyprus Today. Who knows, maybe, somebody from high up will read it and realise the problems facing us all. Not ALL situations were covered. I do not refusal by the Army was not covered so just where do all those effected by this one stand? No point going to the BRS as all they say is "Ah it is the Army nothing can be done". All very interesting.

[benjaminbutton]

We still have a long way to go, but it I was one of the poor souls who are waiting for years for their P2P etc etc. and then reading the write up on first page of Cyprus Today, I would be heart broken.

[Jeremy S]

Apart from cancelling the membership of those members who dare to ask pertinent questions, what is the current position of the BRS Committee in making representations, when possible, to MPs and Government Ministers regarding the horrendous legal, financial, and procedural difficulties being faced by various groups of their membership (and many other foreigners)? Are they wisely leaving it to and fully supporting the TFR?

[rockpebbler]

Jeremy S, I wish I new the answer to your question, despite my 2 emails to the BRS I never received any reply to the concerns that I raised, there was no mention at the BRS presentation of what if anything they would do to pursue the matter with govt officials. All my trust is now with TFR as they have said concerns will be raised when they can get a meeting with govt officials.

[wanderer]

This Post in Kibris WHATS HAPPENING
The Decree Having the Force of Law on Making Regulations Regarding the Status of Existing Sales Contracts and Extending the Periods in the Temporary Article 1 of the Real Estate Acquisition and Long-Term Lease (Foreigners) (Amendment) Law was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force.

The purpose of the decree was expressed as extending the periods stipulated in the law for sales contracts exceeding the acquisition right in the Temporary Article 1 of the said law, preventing the loss of income to be obtained by the state, collecting taxes and duties and contributing to the economy.

In the general justification of the decree, it was noted that due to various problems encountered in the implementation of the law, foreign real persons and legal entities could not pay all taxes and duties that they were required to pay within the periods stipulated in the law, such as "being abroad, the inability to communicate between many buyers and sellers", and therefore the state was deprived of these revenues.

The general justification included the following statements:

“In order to prevent the loss of income to be obtained by the State, to enable the collection of taxes and duties and to contribute to the economy and also to carry out urgent State expenditures, there is an urgent need to collect these taxes and duties. Therefore, in the light of the reasons stated above, this Decree Law has been prepared under Article 112 of the Constitution, since the issue has an economic content and is urgent.”

[Reyntj]

Urgent need...reading between the lines the country is broke and so far hasnt raised as much as it thought it would..im not sure.a.2.month extension is going to be that lucrative for them ..

[rockpebbler]

The latest govt announcement yesterday is not clear, The Foreign Residents have put out a message to say that they are working on the translation to try and clarify what the latest changes actually mean. TFR appear to at least be doing something to help people in this nightmare situation, they are having regular meetings with members over this issue, keeping everything crossed that they can at least get the govt to review the law to help people caught up in this.

[Jeremy S]

What is the BRS doing to support its members affected by the changes in property laws and taxes? It's a real shame to see the BRS, such a great organisation in the past, lose the hard-earned reputation it once had. The TFR has, thankfully, taken the issues and problems of its members to Ministers and kept their members informed.

[benjaminbutton]

Once upon a time the BRS had both enthusiasm, close long time personal acquaintances in the Government and expertise (i.e. retired Foreign Office expertise,) With the greatest of respect, now they seem to be lacking the second two.

[Reyntj]

Im not involved with the brs but with the influx of other nationalities id imagine they have far less sway and voice now with the powers that be.

[benjaminbutton]

Reyntj : I think you have hit the nail on the head, not only many other nationalities, but younger as well. You only have to attend the BRS Life Members lunch to see the average age. The other matter to take into account is the average age of MPs etc. The past doesn't have the same resonance to them that was evident four or five Governments ago. Look at their press photos in Cyprus Today or TV interviews. They are much younger and looking to the future ONLY. Through no fault of their own I suspect the BRS doesn't garner the respect it did in the past.