New Legislative Law - Leaving it to the Solicitors?

kell73


Joined: 16/10/2007
Posts: 20

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 20:28

Dear Alll



Has anybody instructed their Solicaitors to handle the registration for the Land Registery yet?



Im one of those who has a Solicitor that is asking for £350.00 in order to do it for me.



I have weighed things up and it is going to be cheaper to get the Solicitor to do it for me then to fly out and do it myself.



I was going to sit tight and see if the fee was reduced at all, but it is not looking that way.



Any feedback is welcome.



Regards

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 21:45

£350 is a bit steep.......we were charged £200 and I thought that was too much ?

Leochad


Joined: 12/07/2007
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 21:52

Hello



Does anyone know what the deadline is for the new land registry?



My Solicitor is pressing for us to pay £250 and go through the POA procedure- visiting the Turkish Embassy in London etc, but we are going out on 2 April, and could do this ourselves if we have time.



Regards

Graham


Joined: 20/10/2007
Posts: 397

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 21:58

Copied from lawyers(dick turpin) email



For already signed contracts, this can only be done until 8th of April 2008 and we are not able to register the sales agreements at the district lands office after the date of 8th of April 2008.



Graham

roversnan


Joined: 20/05/2007
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 22:10

Hi



I went to London on Friday, £76 for the round trip, and to get it stamped was £12 per person. I sent it to Sener Law firm yesterday which cost £4.40 International signed and then have to pay £250 to do the rest.

A lot of money but cheaper than us flying out.



Regards Lyn

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 22:37

We also left it to our solicitor/advocate, received the POA, went to TRNC consulate in London, signed sealed and posted, all completed within a week of hearing of the new law.

Confirmation that POA received in TRNC

£250 solicitor fees, £12 per signature, JOB DONE.

A lot less hassle than trying to 'do it yourself' .

Now I can go over there to holiday, and not worry about running around and trying to sort it out wasting a day of my holiday.

Leochad


Joined: 12/07/2007
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 23:47

We were going to go down the line of a notary but the only one in town was on holiday. So we are now back to plan C!



If we have until 8 April, we can go and see our solicitors in NC in person and hopefully get it sorted.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
26/02/2008 23:57

Roversnan - did you just turn up at the Consulate? We are going on Tuesday - will be there for when it opens but my husband has a meeting at 11.30am in Waterloo so am worried he will be late for it. How long did it take once you got there?

andysue


Joined: 12/11/2007
Posts: 891

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 00:03

me susan and our daughter where in north cyprus a week ago so i decided it best to pay our stamp duty and registration fee while over there. our solicitor asked us for one percent of value samp duty and £350 for the registration fee.they told us if the government decide to charge %0.5 only for stamp duty we will get the other %0.5 back. we will see regards andrew

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 10:31

I decided to pay the 0.5% stamp duty and the £250 to the lawyer.

Decided it wasnt worth the hassle to drive to Famagusta, queue for perhaps 2 days then when I got to the front of the queue discover I perhaps hadnt the correct documents.

Solicitor told me the reason for the £250 was that there were 15 title deeds involved on my development. Maybe true, maybe not.

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 11:14

BHW

It took us about 10 mins, no appointment required.

We were there when they opened the doors, simply handed passports and Poa over the counter, paid the £24.00, the receptionist took doccuments in to the back and came back a few minutes later with them signed and stamped, and we were back on the tube at 10.30 heading out of London!

jacko


Joined: 20/11/2007
Posts: 193

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 11:17

Andysue

I too paid the 1% as advised by my solicitor 3 weeks ago since this amnesty of 0.5% i emailed my solicitor for the difference to be repaid back to me. He claims that they will not do this and at present is writing to the Treasury on our behalf and others like me to see if we can get the difference repaid back to us. However he in turn did say it was not looking good.



I am so angry as all the solicitors out there there was rumours of this amnesty happening but still felt the urge to get vendors to pay the 1% now it looks like we are losers once again just because we are being law abiding and paying asap.

maybe all of you out there who has already paid should get on to your solicitors and request they too get you refund and fight our case against the government.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 16:04

Hi bored housewife,



I went to the consulate this morning for advice, did they have the poa forms there? No I have to get them from my lawyer, we have the same lawyer as yourselves and I have complained about her fees, so am loath to ask her for them. did she send them to you? I am trying to do this myself as I am going to be out in Cyprus before deadline but my husband can't get time off work to go.

I didn't have to wait long at the consulate but it is a very tiny room and it was packed, so get there for them opening and you should be out soon. The tube station is only round the corner less than 5 mins walk and it is on the northern line as well easy for Waterloo. Hope everything goes ok for you.



Avril

roversnan


Joined: 20/05/2007
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 16:36

Hi



As Suntanman said Sener Law Firm emailed a copy of the POA in turkish and a copy for yourself in english. I went by train from Nuneaton to Euston and I walked to Bedford Square (www.walkit.com ) in 20 mins. I was in and out in 10 minutes.



I am just going to bank as Evergreen can't find the £1302 I sent for the air-conditioning. More worry.





Lyn

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 16:50

Please Note:

The last day for registration is 7th April 2008 and not 8th April as stated above.



The last day of stamp duty amnesty is 31st March 2008. Until then it is 0.5%.



After this date it will be 1.5% for contracts dated 2005 or later and 0.7% for 2004 and earlier until further notice but in my view the part amnesty for 2004 and earlier will end on 11th July 2008.

ismet

Fazack


Joined: 21/01/2008
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 17:06

Now Girne land registry wants the contracts in Turkish - got this from my solicitor, Talat Kursat:





Unfortunately not only Famagusta but Girne is also asking now for Turkish translation and as lawyers we have given them notice that unless they withdraw this decision we shall not register any contract



Regards,

Talat





I really don't know what to do now...

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 17:16

Fresh from Home Buyers Pressure Group 27/3/08

See http://www.hbpg-trnc.net/documents/stampduty.html (old HBPG advice now obsolete)



http://www.hbpg-trnc.net/documents/stampduty_faq.html (Prime Ministers FAQ which states don't need Turkish translation of contract to pay tax BUT do to get it registered, Tax .5% until 21/3/08 after which 1.5%, MUST register contracts before 8/4/08 but no penalty for not doing so and can still get Kocan. Presumably can't register pre Jan 08 contracts after 8/4/08 at all.



http://www.hbpg-trnc.net/documents/stampduty_process.html for someone's experience of paying tax and registering.

Martin

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 17:29

Sorry, 21/3/08 should read 31/3/08

Martin

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 18:14

Suntanman,



Presumably you have to add to your £24 the cost of return travel to London from Yorkshire and the cost of any overnight accommodation?

jamie012002


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 223

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 19:23

Does anyone know the nearest station / underground line to the consulate ?

Tessell



Joined: 27/11/2007
Posts: 6

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 20:00

Hi everyone - new here - on advice from my solicitor paid 1.5% on 21/2 - amnesty introduced 22/2!! Tried to get 1% back from tax office, but they said No! You paid 21st - law changed 22nd!



Been here 1 week with my wife to get everything sorted - so many set backs - not a good start - hope it gets better soon.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 20:07

Hi Jamie,



The nearest tube station is Tottenham court road and it is only a 4minute walk from there. The station is on the northern line and central line.



Avril

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 21:52

dusterbruce, in reply to message 19, if you add on the rail fare to London it would work out to be an expensive trip, especially if you live in the north of England. Fortunately I get free rail, so it was a case of go there, do the business and get home.

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 22:10

just read about turkish translation, bugger! flying out 2moro. will need to organise.

lovelife


Joined: 07/07/2007
Posts: 231

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 22:46

Reading the other threads on this subject with interest we decided to see if our solicitor would contact us, as we have already paid him to do the necessary work.

On Friday our solicitor/advocate/Dick Turpins descendent (call him what you will) has finally contacted us to inform us of the necessary procedure and will charge us £250 for the privilege.



As we are not back in the TRNC until end of April and travelling to London is not an option, we have decided to leave it in our solicitor's hands.



LL

lovelife


Joined: 07/07/2007
Posts: 231

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 22:47

Reading the other threads on this subject with interest we decided to see if our solicitor would contact us, as we have already paid him to do the necessary work.

On Friday our solicitor/advocate/Dick Turpins descendent (call him what you will) has finally contacted us to inform us of the necessary procedure and will charge us £250 for the privilege.



As we are not back in the TRNC until end of April and travelling to London is not an option, we have decided to leave it in our solicitor's hands.



LL

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
27/02/2008 23:47

Thanks the Butler and Suntanman for your advise. Yes The Butler I think we have the same lawyer - not using them as they too expensive. Cant afford to keep paying out all the time! Anyway we have POA and our agent is doing it for us. If you bought through an estate agent then they may be able to help you.

tatlisu



Joined: 04/01/2008
Posts: 38

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 15:25

Hi ALL

This might seem very stupid but i am completely lost.



I bought off plan 2005 and gave POA to solicitor. complex finished April 2007.



I have not got copy of contract/ have today asked my solicitor to e mail.



Last week i paid my 0.5% to solicitor for stamp duty.



what can I do now to register. I could get to london if need be.



I am so confused/ it does not take much :0(((((



And....... now sat here in the cold as boiler has blown.... what next.... they say comes in 3,s.



Thanks Gail

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 15:39

Hi Tatlisu,



Your lawyer will have your contract in your file and if you have already given her POA she should be able to do all the work for you. She will charge whatever her charges are but at least you won,t need to make the trip to London. If you are going to be in Cyprus before 7th April. you can get all the documents from your lawyer and take them to the land registry office and do it yourself. You may need the document translated in to Turkish but this could be abolished before the 7th April. Hope this helps.



Avril

tatlisu



Joined: 04/01/2008
Posts: 38

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 18:05

Thanks Anita. Go out on 21 March, and have made appointment to see solicitor.

Gail

doghnuts40


Joined: 15/02/2008
Posts: 21

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 19:45

Hi all spoke with my lawyer today and they have informed me the Tax office will let you stamp your contracts at 0.5% but the DLO will NOT accept the contracts unless they have been translated into Turkish. So basically everything is on hold unless you get someone to translate your contract. The lawyers are up in arms but their not sure the law will be changed. Wonder how much we will all get charged for translations??????? :((((((

glencoe


Joined: 01/02/2008
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 20:05

My lawyer's advice was to pay my 0.5% and get the contract stamped as paid and hang fire on the translation as they are trying hard to get the rule about Turkish translation rescinded, her take on it is that a Turkish translation of a contract written in English is fraught with danger as even one word wrongly translated could lead to MAJOR problems at a later stage, - and how many of us would be able to check it word for word !!!

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 21:03

I've been advised by Marian Stokes HBPG that if your lawyer/estate agent/builder register your contract a POA is NOT required. You do not need a Turkish translation to pay the tax but you do to register. There is a translator in TRNC who you can email a copy of your contract - alptugv@hotmail.com who is likely to charge £15-20 a page.

Martin

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 21:30

£15-£20 per page!!!! There are about 20 pages in our contract!

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 21:40

My thoughts are that most contracts are of a standard format with only the names and addresses changed (to protect the innocent I'm tempted to say). I'm pretty sure that the builders and lawyers will have these contracts in Turkish in the first place. The English contracts are probably translated from Turkish anyway. The Turkish translations don't even have to be signed so in the event of a dispute, the original English contract would be the one for the court to use. If you have to use a translator like the mentioned, I would have thought a deal could be negotiated unless the TRNC green eye god comes to the fore.



Martin

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
28/02/2008 23:52

I have also learned that following a meeting between Girne lawyers and the Ministry Of Interior on Monday, most agreed to translate the contracts for free although a few refused. Because of the outcry they are also likely to reduce the fees they are charging. We shall see.

Martin

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
29/02/2008 07:33

Martin,

Msg. 33



According to the new law the Estate Agent and the Vendor should register it, hence they do not need a POA from the Buyer. However the lawyer is not in this category. I have spoken to the head of Famagusta DLO and he promised that he will accept simple forms of the Retainer used by the Advocates if simply signed by the Buyer. This is a matter of discretion and therefore I cannot speak for Girne DLO.

As I said in many posts, I am struggling to catch up with misinformation from many quarters and that includes the Prime Minister's page too.

ismet