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28th March 2024
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HomeNewsKnow Before You Go Campaign at A Place in the Sun

Know Before You Go Campaign at A Place in the Sun

THE ‘Know Before You Go Campaign’ will be at the ‘A Place in The Sun Live’ show at the NEC in Birmingham between 30 September and 2 October.

Zoe Woodward and Stephen Jones from the British Consulates in Cyprus and Spain will be taking questions from the public. They’ll be on panel sessions throughout the three days, and available the rest of the time at the Know Before You Go stand (stand number B13)

Brits remain one of the biggest ex pat groups overseas, with over 5.6 million living abroad. Research is key to planning to move or buy property abroad. Property laws in other countries often differ from the UK, and it is also important to ensure you plan for the long term, for example pension arrangements.

Zoe and Stephen regularly hear from British nationals who have got into difficulty as a result of not researching fully before signing that contract.

The Foreign Office has produced advice on before you go, when you arrive and buying property to help get you started.

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12 COMMENTS

  1. @James – I have not passed several comments containing potentially libellous remarks about lawyers and developers.

    I suggest that those wishing to make such comments should send them directly to the individuals/companies concerned and to be prepared to accept the consequences of their actions.

    Some comments also contained vulgar and offensive language.

    Those wishing to post comments need to ensure that they adhere to the ‘Comment guidelines’ or they will not be posted.

  2. @Nigel

    You must be working overtime to allow/ edit posts I think for people who cannot express there opinions fully we can understand why you have to edit etc.

    It would appear some in the property Industry ie Lawyers, Developers. Banks do not like people posting the truth.

  3. Like me you can ask as many questions and visit all the help sites in advance of buying in Cyprus but you cannot defend yourself against a rogue lawyer.

    Until The Cyprus Bar steps up to the plate and is seen to be protecting victims I have to agree with Mike.

    Do not risk your health and wealth.

  4. The only thing the ‘Know before you go’ stand needs to advertise under the sub heading of Cyprus is “DON’T UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES”.

    When laws are fundamentally changed and when Cyprus adopts the principles and values of the EU and protects its citizens and foreigners alike with consumer protection legislation then, and only then, should anyone even begin to consider a purchase.

    If anyone feels they know better and are not stupid enough to be duped then go ahead, be my guest, give it a go & let us all know how you got on in 5 years from now.

    Countless very intelligent and commercially astute individuals have been duped I now smirk when I hear “it would never happen to me, I’m too smart for that” forgive me if I do not sound too impressed.

  5. Will they also mention the fact that even when the Land Registry has the separate title deeds ready to issue they will not do so if the developer has not submitted a tax certificate. The current property laws are defective as there is no mechanism to compel the developer to obtain such a tax certificate.

    Will Zoe’s fellow panellists mention this? I doubt it.

  6. This developer and lawyer will no doubt be claiming at the NEC that once a sales contract is lodged at the Land Registry that the buyer is protected, when in fact they are not. Even the Attorney General has said this. They will also not mention the lack of completion certificates or developer mortgages preventing the transfer of title deeds just as they don’t mention these risks when they are selling. Friends of ours bought on Pafilia’s Anarita Valley in 2009, using this law firm, which was introduced to them by Pafilia!

    They have since discovered to their horror that there are 4 separate developer mortgages on the site, taken out between 2004 and 2009.

  7. I have to add that like Conor, I am informed my case can only be “civil” in the courts. Criminal is not used for fraud on properties.

    The law needs to change.

  8. Liz,

    I know your lawyer very well and brought charges against him with the disciplinary Board so have others.

    It appears him and the developers are very important people !

  9. I will be outside this event protesting against off plan property from Cyprus. There will be around 20 – 30 other victims present and the NEC has allocated a prominent spot outside the main entrance for the demonstration.

    This year I was informed by the Attorney General that even with a contract in the land registry it is not a criminal offence for a developer to sell your house to another and keep your money. This is a “civil issue” he states. I have been waiting 5 years and my civil case has still not come to hearing.

    Another transparent move from the attorney general came this year when he denied us a case of perjury against the lawyer who sold our house to another. http://www.lyingbuilder.com/perjury_or_not.html

    Despite my best efforts ‘A Place in the Sun’ still advertise property for my developer who has criminal convictions. I will publish my correspondence with A Place in the Sun tomorrow.

  10. @Liz. I don’t know the developers or the lawyers you mention. However, general questions that ought to be asked of any developer include:

    How many and what proportion of your properties that have been sold are on land currently mortgaged by you i.e. the properties are encumbered by a bank lien?

    How many and what proportion of your properties that have been sold have been issued with separate title deeds?

    Have you ever agreed to or advised a customer to use a single joint lawyer for conveyancing?

    Have you ever been subject to court proceedings relating to ‘double selling’, hidden mortgages or other allegations of wrongdoing?

    And questions for any lawyer:

    Have you ever failed to advise a client that you already act for the other party?

    Have you ever failed to disclose to a property buying client prior to contract the existence of pre-existing mortgages?

    How many, if any, complaints against you from client property buyers have been lodged with the Disciplinary Board of Advocates?

    Have you ever been found liable by a court of law for a civil or criminal offence?

  11. I do hope that Zoe’s fellow panellists from the Cyprus ‘industry’ all prove to be squeaky clean and not tarnished by any suggestions of conflicts of interest or allegations of fraud or other crookery.

    No doubt posters can suggest the right sort of penetrating questions that should be aimed at the panel so that the audience can be enlightened on these matters!

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