Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Please can someone tell me the procedure for obtaining a Kocan, when the new owner-to-be works abroad, and will be a frequent visitor, until retirement. Does he need to be here to do the paperwork etc.,or can a close relative do it for him? The relative has lived here for more than 12 years, but has forgotten the various procedures.

Hello Dog Walker you really need to be a lot more specific with your question i.e. I am presuming the new owner has a contract to buy the property? Has he applied for PTP or does he have a Kimlik? Has he seen the Kocan in the name of the Vendor?
If all the answers are yes then a Power of Attorney needs to be obtained from the Vendor so that the property can be transferred when the time comes, also a retention held in respect of his/her Stoppaj liability.
If the Puchaser is not familiar with the procedure here he should really appoint a lawyer to act for him as buying property is a minefield here as so many people, including ourselves have found to our cost.

Many thanks,- a great help.

Does the property in question currently have a Kocan in name of vendor? Be cautious over a shared Kocan,
Apply for PTP permission to purchase. This can take several month possibly a year.
Get an Advocate to draw up a contarct of sale with clear indication what is included, price. Fixed time scale for transfer of Kocan,
Be very selective upon who you use as an advocate. There is almost nil duty of care or direct accountability within the TRNC legal industry.
Ensure all taxes, duties and mortgages are paid. Critical to check if there are any incumbrancers.
Do not use any advocate recommended by the estate agent. Do your own research.
Pay No money until there is a clear road map towards completion.
Maintain pressure on all parties to progress. Money normally talks in that process. Drip feed as you see fit to press matters forward.

Essentially proceed with caution and act as a foreigner in a foreign land.

Thanks, I've saved both answers for our future reference.

A word of warning. Even if you have a clear contract, and everything goes to plan, you can still fall foul at the final hurdle if the current holder of the Kocan refuses to sign over. You could take them to court and face costs for that, and the length of time to get a result, or just give in to the blackmail. Either way, you may be forced to pay more than agreed.

Thanks to all of you, but the owner is also a very good friend.

So was our next door neighbour but he still fleeced us.