Losing the property sale and purchase agreement can be a serious problem for the owner, as this document is the key to proving ownership. In such a situation, it is important to act quickly and efficiently to recover the document and protect your rights. Below is a step-by-step guide to recovering the deed of sale of a property in Cyprus.
Remember that a certain proportion of property transactions in Cyprus can be carried out without a deed of sale, by agreement of the parties and within the walls of the Land Department. But that is another story. So let's move on to the instructions from the property experts and set ourselves up for a positive outcome.
Step 1: Check the copies
The first thing to do is to check if you still have copies of the contract in your personal archive or email. It is also a good idea to contact the solicitor or lawyer who was involved in your transaction. Lawyers often keep copies and scans of their clients' documents just in case. In future, it would be a good idea to make a habit of making copies of all important documents in advance. How did this happen? Well, there it was on the bedside table, the contract of sale.
Step 2: Contact the estate agent or developer
If the original purchase of the property was through an estate agent or developer, it is worth contacting them for help in obtaining a copy of the contract. In most cases, they will also keep an archive of documents for the properties they have sold. Yes, this also applies to Cypriot professionals, don't even doubt it! In the meantime, this is another reminder to all of us that we should only deal with licensed estate agents and trusted developers.
Step 3: Ask the Land Committee
If copies of the documents are not kept anywhere, you should contact the Department of Lands and Surveys. The Department registers all property transactions and you can apply for an official extract or duplicate of your contract. You will need to prove your identity and ownership of the property.
Step 4: Apply
You will need to complete the appropriate forms and apply to the Department of Lands and Surveys to recover the deed. The application must state the reason for the loss of the deed and include any available evidence of your ownership of the property, including title deeds, electricity receipts and identification documents.
Step 5: Pay the government fee
The Land Registry may charge a government fee for recovering documents. It is worth checking the amount of the fee and the method of payment in advance to speed up the document recovery process. Methods change from time to time, but usually all can be paid at the office with a card.
Step 6: Obtaining a duplicate of the deed of sale
Once your application has been processed and your title to the property has been confirmed, the Land Board will issue you with an official duplicate of the deed of sale. This document has exactly the same legal validity as the original.
So, exhale! Losing a deed of sale is an unpleasant but manageable event. Following the steps above will help you recover the necessary documents and protect your property rights in Cyprus. In difficult situations, you can always seek the assistance of professional lawyers specialising in real estate.
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