Discovery of Ownership of Land

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fortyacres
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Joined: 05 Jun 2010 13:47

Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by fortyacres »

Is it possible to search the Paphos Land Registry to identify who the "owner" of land is?

I'm a UK property lawyer and in England we would submit a Search of Index Map to identify the registered title numbers; submit an OC1 search to obtain the Title Documents, Title Plan; and, hey presto, the "owner" and their contact details would be revealed - all done without their involvement in the process.

In short, there is a particular plot of land on the Paphos coast that a client of ours is interested in investigating further.

Who owns it? Would they be prepared to sell?

How can that be achieved?

Thank you
Nigel Howarth
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Re: Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by Nigel Howarth »

Hello fortyacres and welcome to the forum,

Unfortunately, it is not possible to search the Land Registry here in Cyprus as it is in the UK.

In England and Wales
  • The Land Registry operates an open register which means that copies of all documents referred to on the registered title can be obtained by anyone, subject to payment of the necessary fee.
In Cyprus
  • Information or documents in the public register of Titles connected with the ownership of immovable properties and charges or encumbrances lodged against them are treated as confidential and unavailable for public inspection.

    (This effectively prevents a potential property buyer finding out who owns a particular property or whether a property he/she is thinking of buying is mortgaged until after they have signed a contract of sale to purchase it; by which time of course, it is too late!)
But it is now possible for potential buyers to obtain information held by the Cyprus Land Registry, providing they have the written agreement of the owner. You may read how potential buyers go about this at http://www.news.cyprus-property-buyers. ... /id=004888

It may also be possible for a lawyer here 'with a good working relationship' with the Cyprus Land Registry staff to obtain the information.

Regards,
Nigel Howarth
Independent information & advice for Cyprus property buyers
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fortyacres
Posts: 3
Joined: 05 Jun 2010 13:47

Re: Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by fortyacres »

Thank you Nigel.

Your article "New title search procedures in Cyprus" at http://goo.gl/5GBp made me wonder whether the Land Registry had embraced a new culture of transparency.

You bring clarity to the cr*hazy world of Cypriot property law.

One more question regarding your final sentence. How likely is it that undeveloped arable land will be registered at the LR?

I guess the local community may hold the answer.

Thank you for this forum, your resourceful web site and the generous advice.
Nigel Howarth
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Re: Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by Nigel Howarth »

You're welcome fortyacres - and thank you for your comments.

In answer to your question, there is an excellent chance that the undeveloped land will be registered at the Land Registry. And it may be possible to find out who owns it from the local Community Office - some of these maintain local records.

If you have the precise location of the land (latitude and longitude) I can pinpoint the location on Google Earth and let you know in which community/municipality the land is situated - your client could then start making enquiries.

Better still, your client could get the latest topographical map of the area from the Land Registry (this shows the plot boundaries and their reference), scan it into their computer and send it to me. I could then overlay it in Google Earth and identify the plot number - or your client could do this himself.

Armed with the reference number, he could then try and find out who owns the plot from the Land Registry - but as I mentioned earlier, he will need some assistance.

Regards,
Nigel Howarth
Independent information & advice for Cyprus property buyers
Contact Nigel Howarth
Read the latest Cyprus property news
fortyacres
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Joined: 05 Jun 2010 13:47

Re: Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by fortyacres »

Thank you so much.

I'll update the forum with progress when made.
Olinelooo
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Joined: 20 Apr 2016 14:11

Re: Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by Olinelooo »

This effectively prevents a potential property buyer finding out who owns a particular property or whether a property he/she is thinking of buying is mortgaged until after they have signed a contract of sale to purchase it; by which time of course, it is too late!)????
Pantheman
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Re: Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by Pantheman »

Olinelooo wrote:This effectively prevents a potential property buyer finding out who owns a particular property or whether a property he/she is thinking of buying is mortgaged until after they have signed a contract of sale to purchase it; by which time of course, it is too late!)????
This is incorrect.

Anyone wanting to buy land where the owner has been identified and is in agreement to sell, can get the owner to do a search at the land registry which will tell the legal status of the land and at that time the buyer can decide what action to take. No one is forced, or blackmailed into buyer anything in secret.

Now to find out who owns a particular parcel of land involves more research but still easily achieved if you know how to go about it.

Hope that makes it clearer.
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Nigel Howarth
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Re: Discovery of Ownership of Land

Post by Nigel Howarth »

Dear Ali

As Pantheman advised, your statement is incorrect. The law changed some years ago - please refer to http://www.news.cyprus-property-buyers. ... /id=004888

The system may have been further relaxed since then.

Regards,
Nigel Howarth
Independent information & advice for Cyprus property buyers
Contact Nigel Howarth
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