What is the Koçan Tapu?
The Koçan Tapu is the gold standard of property ownership in North Cyprus — equivalent to the freehold title deed found in the UK or Germany's Grundbuch. It grants the buyer unconditional and perpetual ownership of both the building and the land it sits on.
Every project on Nordzypern Prime carries Koçan Tapu or equivalent verified freehold. This is our minimum standard — we list nothing below it.
The Three Title Types Compared
1. Koçan Tapu — Turkish Cypriot Freehold
- Ownership without time limit
- Freely tradeable, inheritable, and transferable
- No approval risk on resale
- Clear legal standing both before and after 1974
- Recommendation: Always the first choice
2. TRNC Title — Post-1974 Issued Deeds
- Not recognised by the Republic of Cyprus
- Potentially challengeable in the event of a political settlement
- Former Greek Cypriot owners may have restitution claims
- Recommendation: Only with a highly specialised local lawyer
3. Exchange / Equivalent Title
- Based on post-1974 land exchange agreements between Greek and Turkish Cypriots
- The most legally complex form of ownership
- Recommendation: Avoid for international buyers
Why Koçan Tapu Is Non-Negotiable
When you buy with a Koçan Tapu, you acquire land and building with a fully documented, unbroken chain of ownership predating 1974. These properties have an unassailable legal basis regardless of how the political situation on the island evolves.
This matters especially for investors seeking financing: most European banks and mortgage lenders will only accept Koçan Tapu as verifiable proof of ownership.
The Purchase Process: Verifying Title in 4 Steps
- Reservation — Pay a reservation fee (£1,000–£2,000) to take the property off the market
- Legal due diligence — Your independent lawyer verifies the title directly at the Land Registry (Tapu Dairesi) in Lefkoşa
- Sales Contract — Notarised and registered at the Land Registry within 21 days (prevents double-selling)
- Permission to Purchase (PTP) — Foreign buyers need Council of Ministers approval; takes 6–12 months, granted in over 95% of cases
Title Transfer Costs
| Fee | Rate | Example on £200,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Tax | 6% | £12,000 |
| Stamp Duty | 0.5% | £1,000 |
| VAT (new builds) | 5% | £10,000 |
| Legal fees | ~1–1.5% | £2,000–£3,000 |
| Total | ~12–13% | £25,000 |
Conclusion
Insist on a Koçan Tapu — it is the only title that gives you internationally recognised, long-term legal security. Every project on this platform meets this criterion. Ask our AI advisor for title-specific details on any listing.