Explanation of North Cyprus Title Deeds and Types of lands in Northern Cyprus

The Turkish word for title deed is Kochan and is usually a single A4 sheet of paper containing a lot of useful information and of course all in Turkish. The deeds can be placed into one of four categories; Foreign title (pre 1974), Turkish title, Esdeger and TMD.

Foreign title (pre 1974 land)

This is land that was owned by a foreigner (non-Cypriot) prior to the partition of Cyprus in 1974. This type of North Cyprus land deed is not common.

Turkish Cypriot Land

This is North Cyprus land that was owned by a Turkish Cypriot and of course still is. It belonged to Turkish Cypriots before the partition in 1974. This is also sometimes incorrectly called pre 1974 land.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Title (TRNC title)

After the partition in 1974 the Turkish Cypriots were isolated and not recognised internationally.

So, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus government started an administrative process and issued Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus title deeds on Greek land on the Turkish side of the division. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus issued a number of different types of deeds but the two most important types are “Eshdeger Land” (exchange land) and TMD also known as “Tahsis Land” (land that has been assigned).

Eshdeger land

Is Greek Cypriot land that was transferred to Turkish Cypriot people that lost an equivalent amount of land on the Greek Cyprus side. This was done by a points system and is known simply as exchange land. Deeds on this land have been issued and guaranteed by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus government.

Tahsis Land (TMD land)

This is Greek Cypriot land that was given to Turkish settlers or given as a reward for military service. Deeds on this land have been issued and guaranteed by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus government.

Leasehold Land

It would be unusual for you to buy leasehold land as the vast majority of land in North Cyprus is sold on a freehold basis.

Leasehold Title: Is government property which can be bought on a long-term lease basis normally 49 years. You have to apply to the Minister of Tourism for a lease, not the council of ministers. Leaseholds are mainly aimed at tourism development companies.

The Present Situation

For few years after 1974 most people buying land in North Cyprus paid attention to the type of North Cyprus Land title deeds, for example the banks would not issue loans on certain types of land. However, the situation has come full circle and now all the types of land are considered equal by the banks, construction companies and anyone who fully understands the North Cyprus land title deeds issue.