Buying a home is always a bit stressful. You’re probably already mentally arranging the furniture in the living room and drinking coffee on the terrace. But somewhere in the background, a nagging doubt still lingers: “What if something is wrong with the documents?” “What if I’m being misled?” These are absolutely normal experiences, because no one wants to hand over their hard-earned money based only on the seller’s word.
Many people are so fascinated by the sea view that they forget about the paperwork, and then run into trouble later. To prevent this from happening, you don’t need to play detective or rely on guesswork. You just need to go to the office that holds the official record for every property on the island – the Land Registry.
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Why This Institution Is Your Best Friend
Imagine a central register that records the history of every plot of land. This is the Landregistry. The records show: who is the real owner, the exact boundaries of the plot, and, most importantly, whether the property has any mortgages, liens, or other charges.
All official records are stored here. It works simply: if your name is recorded in the register, it’s strong official proof of ownership. It’s much harder for anyone to dispute your ownership. This is your main guarantee of security.
The Key Document: Title Deeds and Digital Checks
The main document that you want to receive is the title deed (Title Deed). But until the transaction has been registered, you must definitely check the Land Registry records.
It happens like this: the house is standing, people live there, but the records may still show vacant land or an incomplete structure. A check will show this immediately. Luckily, a lot can be checked online now. Now, some Land Registry information can be checked online, which saves a lot of time. You can go online to the Land Registry and check the basic details before you even book a viewing.
Checklist: What to Verify Before Buying
To sleep soundly, take these simple steps before you sign anything or pay a deposit:
- Who is the owner? Ask for the seller’s official ID and match it against the name on the title deed. If the surnames are different, that’s a red flag.
- Are there any debts? Check for mortgages, liens, or other encumbrances. The Land Registry records/search will show this.
- Unpaid bills. Even an old utility bill Cyprus (electricity, water, municipal fees), can become an issue during handover, check what’s owed.
- Construction status. Even if it is an apartment in a new development like Trilogy Limassol Seafront, don’t skip this step and check whether the developer has planning permission and building permits.
Why Legal Support is Crucial
Even with online checks, it’s hard to cover everything on your own. Documents are often written in legal language-and sometimes in Greek. There are a lot of legal points that only professionals know. A machine translation won’t be enough when large sums are at stake.
You need someone who will be on your side: an independent lawyer who represents you (not the seller or the developer). The team at MySpace always advises you to hire an independent lawyer. We want to buy a house to bring you joy, not running around in courts.
