After the division of the island in 1974, Turkish Cypriots formed their own legal system. As a result of this, different Northern Cyprus property alternatives with different title deeds have been issued.

It should be noted that according to Property Purchase Law and the related regulations, Foreigners’ purchase is limited to one donum of land (unless you form a Company or constitute a trust with a local person). A permit to purchase from the Ministry of Interior is then applied for by your solicitor, this may take anything between twelve to eighteen months.

Firstly appoint a lawyer who will request the following:

- Copy of the title deed (Kocan)

- The site plan – detailing plot references

- Check the site plan and ascertain its shape and boundaries

- The construction availability (from State Planning Office)

- Make a land search to understand; if there is a deed, type of deed and whether there are   any encumbrances attached to the property

- The most common word you will hear in dealing with property purchase in Northern Cyprus is the kocan. This means, "deed" and there are all kinds of Koçan’s in the Turkish
Cypriot legal system. The one in connection with North Cyprus property purchase is called Tasinmaz Mal Kocani, which roughly translates as "The title deeds of conveyance':