What Is TAPU and Why You Should Know About It When Buying Property in Northern Cyprus

Buying real estate in Turkey involves getting a TAPU. Owners of properties in Northern Cyprus should also have it. What is this document?

Content:

• What is a TAPU and what is it for?
• How do I get a TAPU?
• Several owners in a TAPU
• Frequently asked questions foreigners have about a TAPU
• Residential properties on sale in Northern Cyprus

What is a TAPU and what is it for?

When buying a house or apartment in Northern Cyprus, it is important to check the legal side of a residential unit. One of the main documents when purchasing property on the island is a TAPU, which is a title deed. Before signing a contract with a seller, it is necessary to make sure they have a TAPU. You can verify its authenticity at the land registry office.

Let’s say a document verification showed that the seller actually legally owns the property they are selling. The parties held negotiations, converted verbal agreements into a written contract, and the buyer transferred money to the seller’s account. However, a signed contract cannot indicate a transfer of ownership. To do this, it is necessary to obtain a new TAPU, which will secure the buyer’s right to an apartment or house in Northern Cyprus.

A TAPU, a title deed, confirms the owner’s ability to dispose of property at their own discretion. Having it, the owner can rent out, sell, gift, or bequeath the property.

The document contains the following information:

1. Owner’s full name;
2. Owner’s/owners’ photographs (two of each owner);
3. Cadastral address of the land plot on which the residential property is located;
4. Value of the purchased house or apartment in Turkish liras;
5. Type of property (land plot, commercial or residential unit);
6. Area of the purchased property;
7. Information about the previous owners;
8. Grounds for transferring the ownership from one person to another;
9. Information about the new owners;
10. The date the property was purchased by the previous owner;
11. Registration number of the previous owner’s title deed;
12. Stamp of the Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, signature of the authorised person.

If the owner has lost the document, they can restore it at the land registry office.

How do I get a TAPU?

To obtain a title deed, you need to prepare the following documents:

1. Property owner’s tax number (you can receive it at any tax office in Northern Cyprus);
2. Original international passport with notarized translation;
3. Two colour photographs of the owner;
4. Residential property appraisal report;
5. Identity information form.

Foreign nationals receive a title deed in the municipality their apartment or villa belongs to. This usually happens after full settlement between the parties to the transaction and payment of all fees and taxes. The TAPU will be issued within three days after the submission of a package of documents to the land registry office.

Several owners in a TAPU

If there are several property owners, then the title deed will specify shares of ownership, which must be determined before applying. The registering authority does not require proof of payments made by all persons who will be listed in the document.

All persons included in the title deed have the right to dispose of their share independently, including selling their portion. However, this will require the consent of all owners.

Frequently asked questions foreigners have about a TAPU

Many buyers from overseas ask the following questions:

1. Do I need to get a TAPU first or pay for the property I buy?

   First, you need to transfer money to the seller’s account and only then apply for a title deed.

2. If someone buys an apartment to obtain Turkish citizenship, will they be issued a different property ownership document?

   The same document will be issued. However, when purchasing an apartment or villa to obtain Turkish citizenship, you should keep in mind that the purchased property cannot be sold within three years from the date of the transaction. This will be indicated in the TAPU.

3. Can a minor have their own title deed?

   They can. For this, you need to provide the child’s birth certificate certified by a notary.

4. How many owners can be included in a TAPU?

   There is no limit on the number of owners that can be listed in this document.

5. How can I restore a title deed if I lose it?

   You can restore your title deed by contacting the Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre.

Residential properties on sale in Northern Cyprus

Currently, the following properties are on sale in the Turkish part of the island:

• A 200 m² house in Alsancak is on sale for USD370,000.
• A 232 m² house in Bahçeli can be purchased for USD1.75 million.
• A 200 m² villa in Alsancak costs USD500,000.
• A 300 m² villa in Girne is on sale for USD1.4 million.
• A 600 m² villa in Girne can be purchased for USD1.4 million.
• A 280 m² penthouse in Girne costs USD2 million.
• A 334 m² penthouse in İskele can be purchased for USD1.8 million.
• A 497 m² penthouse in İskele costs USD1.3 million.
• A 140 m² penthouse in Güzelyurt can be purchased for USD130,000.
• A 270 m² penthouse in Yeni Boğaziçi costs USD750,000.
• A 155 m² penthouse in Girne can be purchased for USD750,000.
• A 45 m² studio in İskele can be purchased for USD140,000.
• A 49 m² studio in Famagusta costs USD100,000.
• A 78 m² studio in Famagusta is on sale for USD150,000.
• A 90 m² apartment in Gaziveren can be purchased for USD180,000.
• A 130 m² apartment in Gaziveren costs USD150,000.
• A 90 m² apartment in Esentepe can be purchased for USD400,000.
• A 150 m² apartment in Famagusta is on sale for USD100,000.
• A 130 m² apartment in Gaziveren is on sale for USD160,000.