The Rambler
TRUST
Over the past 2 weeks we have started to see the writing on the wall, first we have the banks trying to justify why they gave mortgages and loans on land and property already sold and blaming the buyers for not checking.
Now we have the Lefkoşa Bar saying advocates have no duty of care, it appears we should have asked our advocates to do searches and protect our interests.
The Construction Union has allowed illegal builders, who have years of illegal builds and practices behind them to join their union.
The Estates Agents Union have allowed estate agents, with complaints lodged against them at the Government Property Complaints Office, to register as Estate Agents under the new Estate Agents Law which is committed to protect the buyer.
Government ministers have admitted they ignored laws, as they put it, for economic reasons, as if that justifies their behaviour.
The Prime Minister of the TRNC has had a meeting with a known fugitive (Gary Robb) from justice to discuss how to steal more innocent people’s money no doubt. It beggars belief that a Prime Minister of the TRNC or any other country for that matter would knowingly agree to such a meeting.
So how much trust should we put in any of the above groups? The answer is clear, none.
So that said, the Turkish Cypriot People voted for the Annan Plan in 2002, if the plan had been accepted by both sides, the Turkish Cypriot People were willing to see tens of thousands of mainland Turks and others be forcibly repatriated to Turkey.
If the Turkish Cypriot People were willing to sacrifice these innocent immigrants, what chance has the 14,000 expat community of keeping their properties? Ask yourself these questions, given the recent article in the paper from the Greek Cypriots, that they are looking at a leasing solution to the property problem, i.e. all Greek Cypriot land and property be returned to the original owners and then lease/rented by the current occupier. Does this ring a bell? The TRNC has talked about leasing for some time, indeed at one point tried to introduce it, the Estate Agents Union are still talking about it, smacks of conspiracy to me – gives the TC’s a high moral stand – we have not sold, just rented the GC land!
Some would argue (and I was one), that the money we bring in and the fact we are EU citizens would afford us some protection, but on reflection if there is an agreement and the TRNC joins the EU, billions would be poured into the TRNC from the EU. They would not need our money.
So once again I stress is it safe to buy in the TRNC given their performance so far? A performance that is peppered with lies, deceit and a total disregard for their own laws - the answer has to be NO.
For those who would argue, we would have a legal argument, I would say this, the TRNC is considered an illegal entity, is not recognised by the world, we were warned not to buy by our respective Governments, I would say that was an end to that argument.
There is no written guarantee from this government that they will protect our property or rights, although it has been muted verbally. How safe do you really feel?
02 November 2008