Land Title Categories

Many clients have asked about the Land Title Categories in Northern Cyprus. Below please find the categories - Thalassa Beach Resort is built on a unique category – land sold by Greek Cypriots still residing in the North to this day who were never dispossessed and who sold to the current owner of their free will. That is why this land is internationally recognized as undisputed. This means it is equivalent to Pre-1974 Freehold Title.

1. Pre-1974 Clean Freehold title - Land in Northern Cyprus which was owned before 1974 by Turkish Cypriots, English expatriates and other nationalities is regarded as having 'clean freehold title' and therefore attracts a premium, when sold for re-development or as part of a completed development project.

2. Exchange Land - Many Greek Cypriots fled south in 1974 and Turkish Cypriots fled north, though in lesser numbers, both leaving behind them homes, land and buildings. The TRNC government have for many years operated an 'exchange' system (known as 'estdeger', pronounced 'eshtare'), whereby Turkish Cypriots who left land and property behind in the South could register their 'loss' with the TRNC, and were instead awarded points enabling them to take over land and property in the North which was abandoned by Greek Cypriots fleeing south, on an 'exchange' basis.

3. Turkish Mainland Deed (TMD) Land - After the conflict, the TRNC awarded land which was unoccupied to war veterans or their families and invited citizens of Mainland Turkey to re-settle in the TRNC in order to boost the population.

4. 49 Year leases - Some property has been offered by the TRNC on 49 year leases.