Would like some advice from EXPATS who moved to TRNC

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 11:20 am

Thanks Deniz - yes, seems honesty does NOT pay!!. The SRP rang me a few days ago in response to questions I e-mailed them - I was told if I moved to a country that is on their "yes you can have" list I can then apply for a form to make a claim for fuel allowance. They obviously will not pay it automatically I presume from that statement, even if they then pay your SRP into a bank in the new country - you will have to go 'cap in hand' and beg for it. X

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 12:18 pm

Yes I think so. If I had been in the uk even for a short visit during the september of the year I was 60 I would have got it. Never mind

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 12:47 pm

Does anyone have their state pension paid direct to a TRNC bank ?

Or is best to have it direct to your UK bank ?

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 1:57 pm

Good question gemini39 - if anyone does get their SRP paid direct into their TRNC bank do they get good XE if they convert the incoming cash transfer/s automatically to TL. I get all my pensions paid into my Egyptian bank each month - they are sent over in UKP. At present stirling is really good XE and I get almost 10 - 1 XE and the worst time was getting 9 - 1. Can't beat good old UK stirling and I am so glad the UK govt. stuck to their guns & did not adopt the Euro.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 2:23 pm

I was advised by a bank manager in trnc to keep payment going into my uk account as there is a hefty charge for receiving overseas payments. Also the electronic system used by the Pensions dept uk is not always compatible with here.So I withdraw sterling here from an my uk account and then change it to tl

kaiserphil · Post by **kaiserphil** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 4:56 pm

When I lived there, the Pension Service could not pay the State Pension to certain countries, including Turkey, so I had it paid into a UK account.

I left in 2008, so this may have changed since.

Mel7348 · Post by **Mel7348** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 5:19 pm

Have my Government Pension and NHS Pension direct into my current acc. at Garanti Bankasa. This has been in place for nearly 2 years now. Not a single hitch. When I phoned both pensions to arrange things, both stated that they preferred to pay in the currency of the country. I know Garanti Bankasa is one of Turkey's largest and is recognised as an International Bank. I actually get my State pension into my acc. a day earlier than when paid into old UK ( NatWest ). The payments for both pensions come via SWIFT system. Maybe Turkish Cypriot and the smaller Turkish banks are unable to participate.

Horses for courses may not be as suitable for others who maybe have commitments in UK, it is a very simple hassle free system for my needs.

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 5:31 pm

Hi Mel 7348

Do you still get the annual increase on your State pension ?

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 5:34 pm

Hi Mel7348

Sorry when you said pensions were paid in country of currency, did you mean sterling or T/lira ?

Rambling Rose · Post by **Rambling Rose** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 5:41 pm

As I said earlier, my occupational pension has to be paid into a UK account so it seemed simpler to have the state pension paid into the same account. I was told I couldnt have the winter fuel allowance because I didnt qualify for it when I left the UK. - sometimes I think they just move the goalposts to suit them!

I am not going to tempt fate by advocating any one particular bank (personally I have two local bank accounts on the principle of not keeping all my eggs in one basket) but Türk Bankası ("Turkish Bank" although in fact it is Turkish Cypriot) is the only local bank to my knowledge which has a branch in the UK (North London) which can sometimes make transfers easier. Presumably in principle one could have UK based income paid into their UK Branch. I havent gone into that because I am rather tied to my UK bank by the number of standing orders etc. which would have to be changed if I moved.

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 6:22 pm

Lots to chew over then. I have all my pensions sent to Egypt via Swift & 'touch wood' to date no problems. Would it make a difference if the bank in TRNC that you wanted your pension credited each month was a mainland Turkish bank or a Turkish Cypriot bank?. Why cant life be simple

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 6:40 pm

Quick questions - is there a daily limit on cash machine withdrawals and are the machines reliable (work or always faulty) ?

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 9:40 pm

Cash machiens all over the place and one may withdraw in lira, pounds or dollars. Limit is dictated by your cash card. In our case about £300, but if we need a lot then we go every day until we have it all!

others may have higher limits, but that suits us. We draw out sterling and then go and get it changed up. Works out cheaper than withdrawing lira from a U.K. based sterling account.

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 9:56 pm

Good evening Marion,

Many thanks my dear - have been discussing with Derek about pro's & con's of interest rates levels for both UKP & TL - need to decide whether best to get pensions paid back into UK bank, continue getting them paid into my Egyptian bank & doing swift or cash machine cash transfers or whether to get SWIFT pmnts direct to TRNC bank a/c. Choices choices

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 10:11 pm

Maybe, maybe it wuld be better to have them paid into U.K bank - just in case you came to Cyprus and then movedon and have to change again. U.K is probably a safer option. But only you can decide.
Decisions, decisions, as you say - but i am sure you will make the right one. And even i you don't, then it will be 'all change' again!

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Mon 17 Sep 2012 10:35 pm

Cheers Marion - as I have absolutely no intention of going back to the UK maybe I may leave the pensions going into my Egyptian bank as I get loads better interest than I would in the UK bank. My bank is also internet banking and they just said to inform their head office I would be using my cash card abroad. However the way Egypt is declining I would need to keep an eye on the financial state there although my bank reassured me that my money was 100% safe and guaranteed by their Central Bank of Egypt (same as our Bank of England set-up). Then if I definitely decided to get my roots down there in TRNC I could do a financial transfer later once I had researched all the options the banks there could offer... choices and decisions aargh.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 10:03 am

sounds sensible! Your head must be worn out with all this thinking. Do a Worzel Gummidge, change your heads and put on a 'fun today' one! You deserve it.

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 12:03 pm

Ha Ha - like that Marion. That would also be the immediate face lift experience ever, as well!. Need a brain transplant that's for sure

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 12:19 pm

This post has got legs. What is the biggest Kibkom on record ?

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 2:09 pm

Just shows how many really nice people are on Kibkom expat site & willing to 'chat' & share.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 2:53 pm

good question, gemini. Maybe Soner can work that out. I am sure I could if I had time. But what is great is that Kibkom seems to have taken off and replaced Cyprus 44 - and so far without any nastiness. always there to help - at least most people seem to be. Good, innit?

Rambling Rose · Post by **Rambling Rose** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 3:10 pm

gemini39 wrote:This post has got legs. What is the biggest Kibkom on record ?

I was wondering that too - started to scroll back but it took too long. I think Anna may HAVE to come to Cyprus to collect the award for initiating the longest and most constructive thread!

Anne: You wont really know until /unless you try itfor yourself!!!! Why not leave any decisions that can be postponed until you are here when you can talk to people (eg banks ) for yourself? By renting you are giving yourself some flexibity over the area you chose, which might well affect your other decisions. However helpful people are being we are only giving our own views and experiences - you may need a broader picture.
>

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 5:13 pm

Hey - it's 2 way traffic, so we should all give ourselves a good old pat on the back for such a successful data exchange.

I am also glad that on this site people are not spiteful, you should have seen the comments on the "British ExPats site under 'sandpit' in Middle East section. Could not believe how vicious they are on that site, 2 legged rottweillers!!.

Anyway will try to get over in the coming months. As you say you can only judge a place and facts by 'being on site. I feel even though I have not met any of you in person I have friends form a distance.

carolhm · Post by **carolhm** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 5:25 pm

Ann its a lovely place and the people are soooooooooooo very kind and helpfull .
Just had a text from two friends who are here on holiday , it said just 4 words
" we love it here " . They came out in may for the first time for two weeks . They are
back now for 3 weeks and already talking about coming back for 4 next time . Think
they like it here

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 5:31 pm

I do

Rambling Rose · Post by **Rambling Rose** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 6:10 pm

Ha! Anne you should have seen some of the threads on the now defunct "Cyprus 44" site that Marion refers to,, and there are other sites here where people seem to have nothing better to do than conduct personal vendattas with each other .

And done be rude about Rotweillers : - quite a lot of people here have them and get very upset if you suggest they are not docile , harmless animals. I just pray I never meet one when walking my three small rescue dogs!

I was intrigued to find whether there were any properties without pools to let and spoke to a local friend who is involved in letting properties. He is talking about £300 per month for an older(refurbished) two bedroomed house with small garden on a two year let. BUT they require the first year's rent in advance which would tie you if it proved unsuitable. The rationale is , apparently, that they can get higher rents for summer holiday lets, and dont want to risk having someone occupying for summer at a cheaper rate and then being stuck with an empty property in winter. So if you started the let in winter there might be room for negotiation.

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 6:41 pm

Hi Rambling Rose

Would like a contact, for the future, with your friend who has rentals long term

Email address or skype would be good as we r in UK

Thanks

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Tue 18 Sep 2012 7:55 pm

Thanks everyone - it sounds fabbie-dabbie-dozzie there & as soon as I can I will get over for a recce. That reburbished property for 300 is just bang in our price range, but as you say, 12 months 'up front' is a hindrance if you find that you need to move out for one reason or another. As you also say doing a contract in the winter months may be better. Also if the owner knew he may get really long term tenants (guaranteed income long term) the owner may be more flexible .

Rambling Rose · Post by **Rambling Rose** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 10:22 am

Gemini: I have sent you a PM

Anna: We hear a lot about expats having problems with buying houses. Unfortunately it works both ways and Cypriot landlords have had problems with expat tenants: not giving notice, leaving the house in a mess, not paying rent, and leaving landslords with bills for electric, "rates" etc Not to mention noisy drunken orgies upsetting the neighbours and falling in the swimming pool!!! .Not really surprising that they have become very cautious

A pity because when I came here British could often got discounts because they were deemed responsible and further discounts for sterling payments because is was a hard currency. Sic transit munia etc. Obviously I cant speak for others, but I imagine if you could convince a Landlord you were respectable etc. - and a guaranteed income would help -, they might be prepared to negotiate. A bit of the luck of the draw, because I guess it would depend whether they had other prospects!

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 11:09 am

Hi Rose

Many thanks for the e mail regarding your contact

Very useful , have sent him an E detailing our needs

What would we UK movers do without great Kibkom people like yourself

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 11:12 am

Hi RamblingRose I can appreciate the landlord's apprehensions especially if their rentee's were young/middle aged & who had a property in UK to just pack up & fly back home to leaving mayham behind in their wake. So I will have to apply my persuasive charms. I presume if the house was unfurnished & we shipped our current furniture over that could demonstrate our committment to be good tenants and residents as it would not be so easy to do a 'midnight flit'. Maybe if it turned out the house I wanted to rent may later be offered for sale I might be interested and that would demonstrate we are decent folk wishing to settle ind intergrate. That decision would depend on how we liked the house, the neighbourhood, TRNC in general, but most importantly the legality of the house deeds and legal ownership of both house and land and that would take time and research. It would not be a rushed or snap decision either.

We have spent loads of our own money upgrading the house we currently rent, (and I mean a lot). The house is now like a villa as per se my landlord who is very impressed with what we have done to his house. That's the downside if we leave here, we cannot take with us the structural changes, beautiful wrought iron gates, doors & window frames etc etc. . But the positive side would be we did the 'deed' and got another chance to settle down and enjoy life before we got too doddery

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 11:58 am

Hi Rose

Just to say the email address you gave me for your rental contact has been returned

Can you check the spelling please ?

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 3:35 pm

Rambling Rose wrote:...Sic transit munia etc...

Are you sure that you got that right?

It's more than a few years since I learnt Latin, but I can't work that one out!

Cyprus Hector · Post by **Cyprus Hector** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 5:25 pm

Is that 'sic transit gloria mundi'? "so passes the glory of the world."

Yes of course I Googled it.

Rambling Rose · Post by **Rambling Rose** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 5:54 pm

Keith: Mea culpa (my mistake)

It should have been "sic transit gloria mundi" , meaning "Thus passes the glory of the world" (or according to some "Gloria was sick on the journey"!)

Gemini: Not doing well today am I? I will check and get back to you as soon as poss.

Anna: Watch it! Some Cypiots are quite good at turning on the charm as well!!!! Of course I am only talking about one contact, whom I know - there will be others but I havent had time to ask around. I will check on contents - I think most are furnished but you might be able to get storage "thrown in". I leave others to tell you about buying furniture - I left mine behind and have replaced gradually mainly second hand. Buying here is an absolute minefield(even for locals) for many expats it has proved a nightmare. You are very wise to leave that decision till you know more about the place. My contact's properties are on land which have been in his family for generations so no problems about ownership but it is "Turkish" (as opposed to "TRNC") title (Oh dear, someone else explain? ) which is more expensive to buy.

I know what you mean about improving rented property - it was the amount I was spending on someone else's property that persuaded me to buy!

kaiserphil · Post by **kaiserphil** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 5:59 pm

Gloria was sick in the transit van on Monday.

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 6:19 pm

A year's rental in advance as deposit!!!! That's downright obscene. You wouldn't get a local paying that. Obviously a ploy to catch foreigners - and they say there isn't rational discrimination here.

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 7:19 pm

Ha Ha you have to laugh at all the sub threads here, definitely brightens up my days. As for slippery characters, you should try Egyptian 'sales pitches'. I let the prattle on & then "Ka-boom"!! tell them what utter twaddle they are speaking and unfortunately for them I am not a 'wet behind the ears tourist' to be overcharged by 20/1 etc., but an expat who lives here - you should see their faces when they hear that and my limited arabic thrown in for good measure.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 7:43 pm

A year up front? And then they can get 9 or 10% interest on your money! Plus no doubt you have to pay a deposit. Gerroff! Further investigationis required. They let flats to students (and houses) with somethng like 3 months money as two are deposits etc. And if you sign up for a year and then pay and you don't like it, you are stuck, Or if you want to run away,m you are stuck. I am sure that someone can findyou something else. When you know when you are likely to be coming we can all do some real fact finding. I managed to get a house for someone for £250 a month and none of this year in advance stuff. That;s palin criminal"
I appreciate the problems that landlords may have (I was one myself for a while back inU.K) but why give tenants problems as a result.
No local would pay that! And don't let a two tier system take effect! The wonderful folk of KibKom will help I am sure. But we need to have definite dates etc. As for the wonderful Latin phrase of Gloria being sick in transit, I think Ann would be sick in situ (how does THAT translate into Latin. I have forgotten it all.

Philoz · Post by **Philoz** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 8:14 pm

Anna -I would suggest you rent privately from a Brit-you will find someone that wants to rent on here.
Then I would suggest you get a decent lawyer(cough) to sort you out with a mutually agreeable rental agreement..

Rambling Rose · Post by **Rambling Rose** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 9:18 pm

Oh dear! And I thought this was such a nice forum and thread and here comes all the aggression and prejudice again!

Like someone said above I am NOT on a commission I am ony trying to be helpful and pass on information.

I explained that the payment in advance(I assume it takes the place of a discount) was to protect Landlords against exploitation. |Unfortunately there are Brits who think the rest of the world owes them a living and they can take what they want - and they take it and spoil things for the rest of us. I have had experience of how some of the Brits behave. I rented a property here(in the days when they trusted Brits and there werent even any deposits) and the first person to visit was the Muhtar with a handful of unpaid bills from the previous tenant. Fortunately the Landlord settled them , but I felt very sorry for him and very embarrassed for my countrymen! Of course one could argue the Muhtar should not have let such a large bill continue, but in those days they trusted the Brits. Now they dont and the innocent suffer for the actions of the guilty. QED. (Means quad erat demonstratum (cant check the spelling without losing what I have typed) - that is "that is demonstrated"

And yes, Marion, I too have rented out a property in the UK. The cost of the damage caused by tenants is one of the reasons why I have money problems, If I could have taken a decent deposit or payment in advance I wouldnt now be facing old age with no certainty of care. Why shoul landlords who have worked hard and saved to buy and maintain their properties be expected to subsidise irresponsible tenants.

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 9:30 pm

Thanks Philoz - worth considering. Are the lawyers like the lawyers here? portly, sweaty gentlemen with snaky devious behavior patterns & not many to be trusted!. When it comes to that time to weed out a good trustworthy one, I will ask the forum as you guys and gals know the facts ... argh a new thread to start sometime (how long will that one become)

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 9:45 pm

Now now everyone calm down . You are all good people and I don-t want this turning into a Cypruss 44 scenario WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT

All replies have been done with the best of intentions for me to make a decision that will hopefully give me a lovely new home in TRNC. I value everyone's input & as you can see by the length of this thread, lots of people have put lots of personal time into firstly reading the heaps of notices and then replying for which I am extremely grateful.

We all know that it only takes a few selfish, rude and disrespectful people to harm the good relationships the very large proportion of Brits have built up over many many years in a community like yours and it is sad, but a fact, that bad news always travels faster than good news. At the end of the day the owner of a property must decide how he wants to make his tenancy and we, as his potential tenants, have the ultimate choice as to whether we accept those conditions or politely decline. In my case I would hope by seeing and speaking to me a person can judge that I am a nice person with respect for others and their property.

So goodnight one and all & please be nice and value each others comments, even if you don't always agree with them

Rambling Rose · Post by **Rambling Rose** » Wed 19 Sep 2012 10:43 pm

Anna: My last words on the subject. There are good, bad, indifferent, and untrustworthy lawyers here, just like anywhere else. There are, however, different codes of professional ethics from the UK and you should make yourself aware of them if or when the time comes to use one. The lawyer I used for house purchase here was certainly not sweaty or particularly portly which sounds a tad racist to me - he was well dressed, well presented and well spoken and he leaned over backwards to make sure I wasnt cheated. However he WAS elderly and may now be retired so I am spared the temptation to suggest him and risk another attack. The lawyer I used in the UK for house sale charged ten times as much to get a clerk to fill a batch of totally useless forms imposed by the UK Government and had to be constantly chased even to do that.

Beware of the advice to buy from Brits. Personal experience but I have twice trusted fellow Brits in business matters since I was here, and have lost a lot of money as a result of my naivity.

stellasstar1 · Post by **stellasstar1** » Thu 20 Sep 2012 6:13 am

Hi Anna,
I'm a bit late coming on this thread, although 3 days ago, I did write a long reply on the thread, and somehow it never went on, and you know what it's like when something get's deleted accidently, you just can't be bothered to re-do it. First of all, I have been here 6 1/2 years, the last 3 1/2 on my own, and I love it, and find it an easy place to live. (would be even easier if only I could improve my Turkish!) Anyhow, to make a couple of comments on renting, you really should be able to find a 2 bedroom place for £300 - £350 a month maximum. Whoever is paying £850 must be renting a mansion - with servants quarters!. As for paying 1 years in advance, at one time I had a flat I was renting out, and my Turkish students asked me if they could pay a year in advance, which they did for 4 years, but the norm is 2 months rent as deposit. As other people said, the Cypriots are very friendly and hospitable, I live mountain side in Lapta, in the local community rather than in the expat community, and I do think maybe this is why life seems easier for me. There is always someone to help if you need it, or invite you for coffee, or just a smile and a wave and a goodmorning, how are you? Be prepared for extra's when sorting out your money, like healthcare and car problems. My axle on my car went yesterday, but my Cypriot friends husband is taking it to the garage today, and will try and get it back for Friday night, as I do a market on Saturday's. If not, they will drive me they said. No problem. I am so pleased that you have got so many positive responses on coming here, of course it's not perfect, but where is?Goodluck

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Thu 20 Sep 2012 8:37 am

Hi RamblingRose - the 'tongue-in-cheek' description I gave was of the lawyers here in Egypt. Nearly all dodgy or 'those who ooze dodgyness' over here fit this description. It is unfortunate here, where I currently live, that a majority of those who hold priviliged positions and thus earn good guaranteed income are also the one's who do 'under the table deals' and 'rip' people off. There seems to be a trait of those who have, get more - those who have very little, still get nothing, (horses for courses here, unfortunately). I hope your lawyer may still be about when it comes to me seeking one, as it may be worth considering him or at the very least chatting to him if you found him professional and helpful. If he is retired and cannot give me help maybe you or another KibKomer can recommend another one who's got the 'seal of approval'. As I am new to TRNC lifestyles and procedures I would prefer to get a lawyer who's acknowledged by expats like yourself as having a good track record as being "a good one". Lucky for me I will only need a lawyer for TRNC end as I have nothing needing legal work in UK or even here.

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Thu 20 Sep 2012 8:59 am

Hi StellaStar - thanks for your post. I can emphathise with you losing your thread, I have done similar and as I am not used to forums, threads, postings etc. all this is very new to me too and have had to try & test my way around how to use the site. If you could have seen me trying to open my first personal message and then trying trying to find how to do a reply you would have keeled over laughing

Anyway got your message now and I am so glad you've snuggled into your new life so successfully. Your locale sounds nice too - so that's another point for me to consider, town, beach, country or mountain location to live, aargh choices choices . Will definitely have to recce the whole region, but factors like rent costs, locale to facilities, markets and friends will play a big part in where I hopefully settle down. The local community spirit sounds great, I live amongst them here too and again, they are welcoming helpful and thoughtful and it's a great pity that the general decline of living here has destroyed my dream of living here - many expats who have been here for many years are now disenchanted and packing up and moving away.

Thanks for all your other advice which I have 'stored' and hopefully we'll get to chat again and who knows, even meet up if I get over to you all.

gemini39 · Post by **gemini39** » Thu 20 Sep 2012 10:27 am

What a momentum!!

looks like this thread will be wrapped up by Xmas

I'd love it to go till 2013

Mel7348 · Post by **Mel7348** » Thu 20 Sep 2012 12:41 pm

Hi Gemini 39.

Yes do get increases on pensions.

Pensions go into TL curr. acc.

annanirvanna · Post by **annanirvanna** » Thu 20 Sep 2012 1:00 pm

Hi Kibkomers - ha!ha!ha! , yes we are going for the all time record (Guinness book here we come). I have loads of other reasearch/questions to do - so this thread will go on and on until I hopefully do a last posting = "I AM HERE - all done and dusted and goodnight":lol:

Mel: Hope that the pension increases will apply to me too if I move over Seriously missing out on the annual increases at present. What with price increases across the board here, (thanks to the democracy here now after the successful arab spring uprising) my money is stretching as far as it used to. It's also comforting to know that your pensions increase per annum in line with the obligatory increases that normally happen in all countries at the start of each new year.

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