This information has been prepared in order to answer some of the questions that are frequently asked by customers. If this section does not provide you with the information that you require, please contact us and we would be happy to help you. Click here to contact us.
Habitat Construction Ltd. can assist you in finding a plot of land and/or refer you to some reputable estate agents.
If they are suitable for the specific land and do not exceed the restrictions set in place by the planning office, then there should be no problem. Please note that approved plans are only valid for a specific period of time and you may have to reapply for your permission to build. If you present us with your plans, Habitat Construction Ltd can make all the necessary enquiries on your behalf.
Under TRNC law, constructors operating in North Cyprus have to be TRNC Registered Builders as well as a
Member of The Cyprus Turkish Contractors Association and therefore it is only these companies/individuals that can build in the TRNC. Registered companies employ qualified architects and engineers, and all workers have suitable insurance and work permits. Therefore, it is essential that a registered builder should be used. Such companies are regularly checked by the Association of Cyprus Turkish Builders to ensure that the sectors standards are being met. Hence, the quality of workmanship is far higher and if you encounter any problems with your building, you can make an official complaint against the company. However, when using a non-registered company you have no rights under the law and you can also be held responsible if a workman suffers an injury or death whilst working on your land. Furthermore, if a non registered company is caught operating by the Association, the building of your house may have to stop causing you long delays and further costs. Moreover, you may also be fined for using such a company.
Land in Cyprus is measured in donums.
1 donum = 1338 m² or 14400 ft²
1 donum consists of 4 evleks
1 evlek = 3600 ft²
1 acre = 3 donums
Yes, there are limitations that apply to foreigners wishing to purchase land or property in North Cyprus. Land in North Cyprus is measured in donums; a foreign national cannot buy more than one donum of land. A donum is 1,338 square meters or approximately 14,000 square feet. This is a substantial size of land, if a bigger piece of land is required then family members names need to be added to the ownership, or a local limited company need to be formed and the land can then be purchased in the company name.
Please see The Process section of our website for further information.
Once you have decided on the right land/property for you, we recommend the first action you take is to appoint a lawyer to check the title deeds of your chosen property. Habitat Construction Ltd. will happily refer you to the lawyer we work with, whose rates are very competitive. Once the deeds are confirmed the next step is to have a contract of sale drawn up, defining payment terms, any extras added to the standard plan and the proposed completion date. By issuing a power of attorney, the lawyer can act on your behalf after your return to your country. The lawyer will apply to the Council of Ministers on your behalf for your permission to purchase. Once purchase permit has been received vendor transfers the title deed into purchaser’s name. Upon completion, the lawyer will ensure all monies are paid to the vendor and the land registry.
Please note that this information was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change. Habitat Construction Ltd recommends that you seek professional advice with regards to this matter and use this information as a guide only.
Apart from the cost of the land/property you will also need to pay various taxes and fees relating to the purchase of land/property.
Lawyers in North Cyprus usually have a set standard fee for buying land or a property in North Cyprus and this is usually in the region of approximately £1000 (be aware that some solicitors charge an hourly rate fee, that could work out very expensive). Habitat Construction Ltd. will happily refer you to the lawyer we work with, whose rates are very competitive. These legal fees generally include the cost of the search, the preparation of the sales agreement, application to buy from the Council of Ministers and the transfer of title deeds at the District Land Office.
The stamp duty in North Cyprus is currently set at 6% of the property value, but more often than not the valuation is lower than the selling price of the property. If you are building your own home you will also make an extra saving on stamp duty as the stamp duty will only be payable on the value of the land, rather than the house being built. (Please note that this is only the case if the permission to buy is received before the construction begins). 1% of the stamp duty charge is paid to the local Authority/Belediye. You may use the right to be exempt from 3% of the duty if this is your first and only property/land purchase. 5% sales tax (VAT) also has to be paid when the title deeds are transferred into your name.
There are restrictions on the amount of land you can use to build (e.g. 80%. 40% etc of the total land). There are also height restrictions. Habitat Construction Ltd. would be happy to assist you in finding out the restrictions in place. If you provide us with the site plan of your land and the title deed, we will make all the relevant enquires at the local planning office.
The price is dependent on many factors. For instance the size of the house, the materials you wish to use and the finishing. Other factors that influence the cost are the quality of the soil and the proximately of the land to the sea etc. Once we have viewed the land and discussed the type of house you wish to build, we can inform you of the price. Nevertheless, building your own house can be up to 20% cheaper than purchasing a ready built home and the quality of workmanship and materials is far greater. Approximately prices start at around £300 per meter square for an average house (not including carpentry and bathroom fittings and tiles). At Habitat Construction Ltd. we believe that the customer must choose the quality of fixtures and fitting they wish to have in their home, as they are the ones who have live with it on a daily basis. Habitat Construction Ltd. Work with several reputable companies and can assist you in purchasing items at trade prices.
Our standard terms of payment are as follows:
1. 15% on signing contract
2. 20% on completion of foundations
3. 20% on completion of concrete works
4. 20% on completion of brickwork and plastering works
5. 20% on completion of windows and floors
6. 5% on possession of property
It depends on the size and style of your house. For an average house (200 - 250m) the time schedule is approximately 12 months.
Yes! Habitat Construction Ltd. is currently working with several customers who do not live in North Cyprus. We understand that being in another country can increase the worry and concerns of building ones home and that is why we regularly update our customers of the progress of the construction via the telephone and email. We also provide digital pictures to our customers throughout the various stages of the build. Furthermore, our project management is second to none. You can rest assured that our qualified architect will regularly visit the building to ensure that every stage of the construction is compliant with the plans and safety standards. Furthermore, we our selves will ensure that every small detail of your house is finished to the highest standards, as if it was our own home.
We always prefer to meet potential customers in person in order to fully establish their requirements. However, if this is not possible due to you living outside the TRNC, it is possible to work on the designing of your house with the use of email and telephone. You will still have the opportunity to amend the plans until they meet your needs perfectly and subsequently we will be able to provide you with a competitive price. The title deed and site plan of your land will be needed and you will have to sign a document to allow Habitat Construction Ltd. to act on your behalf.
At present there are no direct flights to North Cyprus , all flights are subject to a short stopover at one of Turkey's main airports (Antalya, Dalaman or Istanbul for example). On most occasions, this takes only 45 minutes and generally does not require the passengers to leave the airplane. The main airport in North Cyprus is Ercan airport, which has recently undergone a massive refurbishment programme bringing it up to international standards. The drive from Ercan to Famagusta takes about 30 minutes, 40 minutes to Kyrenia and 15 minutes to Nicosia. Over recent months, there has been a lot of speculation that direct flights from both the UK and Germany will soon begin, making North Cyprus much more accessible and appealing to tourists and potential property buyers.
During the summer months, more than 90 flights a week arrive at Ercan airport. Currently there are around 20 flights a week from London (Stanstead, Heathrow and Gatwick) to North Cyprus. Flights are also available from Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin. From Turkey, you can get a connecting flight from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Antalya or Adana. Ferries are an alternative way of traveling from Turkey to North Cyprus and there are frequent ferry services, the fastest service taking 2 hours.
The cost of living in North Cyprus is relatively inexpensive when compared to other popular European and Mediterranean destinations including France, Spain and Southern Cyprus. Utility bills are generally affordable, for example you should expect to pay about £250 a year for electricity for an apartment. Water is metered and the average cost for a 3-bedroom villa is around £15 per month. Most houses, villas and apartments have solar heating that will supply hot water for at least 8 months a year. In some cases villa’s and apartments which are part of a complex may be required to pay a property maintenance fee which includes gardening, pool maintenance and general site repairs, this fee can vary from £20 - £50 a month. Over recent years the standard of living in North Cyprus has increased. More supermarkets are selling foreign branded goods although the prices of these imported goods are slightly higher than what you would pay in the country of origin. Locally produced goods are a lot cheaper and are good quality. Last year the TRNC government removed the KDV (VAT) from many basic foodstuffs, including bread, milk, pasta, rice, flour and many other items. Locally produced alcoholic drinks are exceptional value with a bottle of Efes beer costing around 60p and you can buy a bottle of local red or white wine (Cankaya for example) for less than £3.00. Cigarettes and tobacco are also very inexpensive. There are restaurants galore in North Cyprus and there is something for every taste and budget. An average restaurant bill including drinks can be between £5 - £15 per person. The majority of restaurants and supermarkets accept payment in YTL and sterling without losing in conversion rates.
The majority of Europeans automatically receive a 90 day visa when arriving in North Cyprus. If you wish to stay longer, you can apply to the Immigration Office for a temporary residency permit, which is renewable annually.
Several removal/shipping companies offer this service. Prices depend on the amount of goods you have and if you require part of a container, a full 20 cubic foot container or a full 40 cubic foot container. Some companies provide a full packing and loading service and some just arrange for pre packed goods to be collected and then shipped. We recommend you obtain a few different quotes before deciding on which option is best for you. Habitat Construction Ltd. can put you in touch with several reputable shipping companies.
Dogs and Cats must be vaccinated for rabies and a blood test proving this, must be taken in the country of origin. This documentation along with a letter confirming your pet has lived with you at your home address, including details of the pets age, breed, colour etc, must be sent via fax to the veterinary department at least four weeks before arriving in the TRNC. Three days before leaving your country you will need to fax the details of your flight and the department will arrange for a vet to collect your pet from the airport, a charge will be made for this service. Quarantine is approximately 4 weeks at the Nicosia kennels. The cost of this is approximately 70p per day.
Yes, however vehicles from overseas are valued (Glass's Guide) and import tax is levied on the basis of the value, engine capacity and age of the car. In most cases, the tax assessment is high (up to 60%). Therefore, it is far more advantageous to purchase a car in North Cyprus. Second-hand vehicles are in abundance and there are a variety of models to choose from. Car tax is much cheaper than other European countries and is dependent on the engine size of the car. Third party insurance is offered at minimal rates, however it is more advisable to opt for fully comprehensive insurance.
Generally education standards in the North Cyprus are of a very high standard and are borne out of the fact that there are five universities based in Northern Cyprus. The majority of schools offer bilingual education starting with nursery through to secondary school and finally university. Private school fees are approximately £2000 per year, however many state schools offer very good levels of education. Discounts are given if you have more than one child attending the school. This price includes transport to and from school and school meals.
You are permitted to drive on a full EU licence for 3 months, after that a TRNC licence must be obtained. A temporary residency permit must be presented when applying for a local driving licence. Vehicles in the TRNC drive on the left as in the UK.
There are no limitations on repatriating the profits, including the rental income from any properties in North Cyprus.
There are branches of TRNC banks as well as branches of Turkish banks. You can open accounts in either Sterling, Euro, US dollar or Yeni Turk Lirasi (YTL). Accounts generally offer good interest rates. HSBC international (which is a sign of financial and political stability in Northern Cyprus) and Turk Bank, have numerous branches all over Northern Cyprus.
The official language of the TRNC is Turkish. English is a business language and is widely spoken.
North Cyprus is two hours ahead of UK GMT and one hour ahead of Germany. Daylight saving hours applies and the clocks go back or forward as they do in other European countries.
The TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) has an embassy in Ankara and consulates in Mersin and Istanbul. There are also Offices of Representatives in London, Washington, New York, Brussels, Pakistan and Abu Dhabi. There are Honorary representatives in Italy, Germany, Austria, Canada, South Africa and Finland.
In the TRNC, there is a Turkish Embassy, British High Commission and German consulate.
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