Building Control in Cyprus: How can you be sure of your future home while in the UK?

The construction of a house requires careful supervision wherever you are, even if too far away. To ensure that all stages are completed in a timely manner and to gain confidence that the quality of the work is being adhered to, it is important to establish effective communication with professionals. They will be able to provide you with the appropriate services, and follow the proven steps we will discuss next.

Selection of a developer

Everyone who plans to invest their money in a new building in another country wants to be sure of their future home. Therefore, he needs to know how to competently organize the control of the construction process in Cyprus while in the UK, as well as minimize the risks.

It all starts with the selection of a reliable and trustworthy developer. Before signing the contract and entering into the deal, you need to:

  • check the reviews of the company, its reputation, ie, learn the opinion of other customers;
  • make sure that the developer has a license issued by the relevant Cypriot authorities;
  • study the completed projects of the developer to assess the quality of their work.

Signing the contract

Selecting a real estate developer is the first part of the task. The next important step is to conclude a comprehensive contract with him. The document should reflect the points that play a key role:

  • specific deadlines for the completion of each stage of construction;
  • details of the materials to be used;
  • payment terms, penalties for delays and quality guarantees.

Important! When drafting the contract, be sure to consult with an independent lawyer who will help make sure your interests are legally protected.

Regular reports and communication

Once the developer and site have been selected, construction has started and the contract has been signed, regular communication will be key to ensuring transparency and confidence in the contractor’s compliance. For this purpose, it is worth requesting the builder to provide regular reports in the form of:

  • photos and descriptions of completed stages;
  • financial reports on budget utilization;
  • status of fulfillment of project obligations.

It is important to make sure that all reports reflect the real situation on the site. In addition, it is absolutely necessary to establish a strict order in financial control and realization of really safe payment. In this part, it is recommended to make payments in stages, after quality control of the completed stages, and to use an escrow account to protect the funds until the construction is completed.

Ensuring independent inspection

To eliminate risks and control the processes, you will need a reliable assistant. Therefore, the most competent step is to engage a company specializing in independent construction inspection. The tasks of specialists are to:

  • conducting regular inspections at the construction site;
  • control of compliance with the builder’s design and contractual obligations;
  • identifying deficiencies and issuing recommendations for their elimination;
  • drawing up reports on the current state of construction, identified problems and their solutions.

Reliable consulting and inspection companies include Hinode, which will provide an independent view of the process that will help minimize risks and maintain the quality of work.

Final acceptance of the house

After completion of construction, arrange for a professional inspection of the house before signing the acceptance certificate. It is important to check whether the house is in accordance with the design.

An independent engineer from an inspection company who can professionally assess the quality of construction and the functionality of all systems will help you with this. Cooperation with a reliable inspector will allow you, even if you are far away in the UK, to get a complete picture of the construction of the property and the quality of all stages, and therefore be confident “100 percent” in your home.

How to buy an apartment in Cyprus: step-by-step instructions for a UK-based buyer

Cyprus with its favorable climate, beautiful beaches and low taxes has become a popular place to buy real estate among UK residents. However, the process of buying real estate in another country requires attention to detail and knowledge of legislative, financial nuances. Let’s take a step-by-step look at the process of buying an apartment in Cyprus to minimize risks and make the transaction as comfortable as possible.

Preparation: defining your goals and researching the area

The first step to becoming the owner of real estate in Cyprus is to determine the purpose of the purchase:

  • for living or vacationing;
  • for renting out and generating income;
  • for investment.

Your goals will determine the choice of neighborhood, type of property, and budget. By the way, the correct calculation of the budget is also important, so when planning take into account not only the cost of real estate, but also additional costs (legal services, taxes, relocation).

The second step is to study the real estate market in Cyprus:

  • familiarize yourself with the prices in different areas;
  • research popular areas (e.g. Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca);
  • find information about the reputation of developers and sellers.

Selecting and buying real estate in Cyprus

In order to minimize all the risks and ensure a profitable, safe purchase of real estate in Cyprus, if you are not physically located there, and in the UK, you will definitely need the help of professionals. You need to find professionals before the transaction, who will be actively involved in the process:

  • an independent lawyer, to ensure the legal cleanliness of the transaction, checking documents, drafting the sale and purchase agreement;
  • a real estate agent to find a suitable object and conduct negotiations;
  • an independent inspector for technical evaluation of the property. And in this reliable assistant for you will be a company Hinode.

The next step will be to check the legal cleanliness of the property being considered for purchase. It will make sure that the property is registered to the seller, there are no associated encumbrances, debts and legal disputes.

The next step is the arrangements and contract itself. Discuss with the seller or agent the terms of the transaction, including price, terms, warranty, etc. Next, the lawyer will be able to draw up a contract protecting your interests as a buyer, and after signing it and making a deposit, will submit a purchase application to the Land Registry Department. At this stage, the purity of the transaction is checked, the transfer of ownership rights is formalized. Only after registration you will become a full-fledged owner.

Important! A foreigner must obtain permission to purchase from the Council of Ministers of Cyprus. This is usually a formal procedure that takes several months. Make sure you get the permission well in advance.

Financial aspects

There are a few things you need to consider in advance:

  • After signing the preliminary contract, you will need to pay a deposit (usually 10% of the value of the property) to confirm that you are serious about your intentions and to reserve the property for yourself;
  • if you plan to finance the purchase through a mortgage, you should contact local or international banks in advance;
  • the purchase costs will also include taxes and fees (stamp duty, VAT, notary services, registration costs).

Useful advice for UK buyers

  1. Familiarize yourself with the specifics of Cypriot law to avoid unpleasant surprises
  2. Always work only with licensed professionals.
  3. Conduct financial transactions only through trusted banks.

Following our instructions and recommendations, you will be able, while in the UK, to buy a property in Cyprus without risks and complications. Remember that attention to detail and professional support is the key to a successful transaction.

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