British Foreign Secretary Shows Concerns About Cyprus Title Deeds

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A growing number of British citizens are expressing concerns about the title deed problem here in Cyprus. This has lead to several letters to British MP's asking for help to resolve this problem.
 

In two letters seen by the Cyprus Mail, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Chancellor Alistair Darling have been in communication concerning the ongoing saga within the past ten days.
 

Representing two of his constituents that are fighting for their deeds, Darling received a lengthy response from Miliband last week which states:
 

"I understand the concern about the practice in Cyprus of title deeds not being supplied on completion of a property purchase. The practice of property developer's not supplying title deeds to purchasers has the potential to affect a large number of British citizens as well as other foreign nationals living in Cyprus."
 

In the letter Miliband also states that the British High Commissioner to Cyprus had "received assurances" from the Cypriot Interior Ministry that they would introduce a bill to address the situation soon.

In Cyprus title deeds are officially referred to as "Certificates of Registration of Immovable Property", and are the most important evidence of property ownership. Buying a resale property without this is very difficult as getting a mortgage is almost impossible.
 

Late last year Marios Matsakis MEP wrote that the title deed situation has, "reached the proportions of a scandal; and for which many people, both Cypriot nationals and foreigners, are totally unjustly losing or risk losing their homes. The matter is quite unacceptable by any standards of justice or fair play and it must come to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion soon."