solicitors : recommendations

mickb


Joined: 18/09/2007
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
24/09/2007 14:46

want some advice of who to use when purchasing property, other than the standard naomi mehmet there must be other good solicitors who are less busy, so please let me know who you have used.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
24/09/2007 16:54

Hi mickb

we used arif tahir erisen he is excellent really nice friendly helpful chap.he is based at erisen house,itfaiyeyolu,mahkemeleryani,gazimaguse tel [0392] 3668031 you wont be disappointed.

regards simbas

TONIP


Joined: 13/08/2007
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
24/09/2007 17:15

we along with many friends have used the services of Mine Konat, No. 1Efeler Sokak, Girne, via Mersin 10 Turkey . Tel. +90 392 815 53 26 found her to be very helpful.

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
24/09/2007 21:44

We used Hakki Onen excellent, good english too. onen.law@kktc.net

alanka


Joined: 15/09/2007
Posts: 154

Message Posted:
24/09/2007 23:26

We have and still are using Mine Konat for purchase of property and for business use, and think she is great, she also owns properties where we own and is totally on the ball as far as we are concerned. Very busy practice thought. BTW she was brought up and educated in Bedford, so English v good and understands our concerns about the laws here.



We had a few (many) problems with the HSBC bank here (we used it as it was familiar, not realising it was a sort of francise) and they would not release money we had lodged there. OH rang Mine and she said "Put them on the phone" -ohg, they didn't half move when she spoke to them!!!!!

Aussie


Joined: 17/06/2007
Posts: 657

Message Posted:
28/09/2007 01:15

I am useing Cenk Bolayir of Legal Consulting PH +90 392 815 0544 FAX +90 392 815 0545.



He was referred to me by the Home Buyers Pressure group as he doesnt accept business from developers and hence is more independent than most TRNC solicitors.



I found him to be very friendly and knowlegeable and his English is excellent.

Tiggy


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 1994

Message Posted:
28/09/2007 14:20

Arif Tahir is who we are dealing with and I met him in London. He responds to e-mails very quickly and is clear with what info & paperwork etc is required to be sent to him. I have 2 e-mail address's if anyone would like them. Can confirm from Simbas that he seems very helpful and to be a nice person.

trncray


Joined: 10/09/2007
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
28/09/2007 14:31

We are using Cenk Bolayir and we can confirm he is very good and efficient and has kept our builder on his toes

Lynn63


Joined: 02/10/2007
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
02/10/2007 13:19

we are just zabout to use Gozel Halim anybody uised them?

Kitty1


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 683

Message Posted:
30/10/2007 11:46

Izzy Okray has been fantastic with us. His father, Aygun, also is very good.

0392 815 7989.



We have recently purchased a property via Ian Smith Estates and we cannot believe how straightforward everything was. We cannot speak highly enough of the agent or the solicitor.

grahamlil


Joined: 10/10/2007
Posts: 143

Message Posted:
30/10/2007 16:07

Kitty1

Really glad everything went well for you, nice to get some positive feedback

Empire


Joined: 29/09/2007
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
30/10/2007 19:44

NAOMI MEHMET IS THE ONE. VERY PROFESSIONAL. FAZILET OZDENEFE IS ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL LAWYER. YOU ALWAYS GET RESPONSE FROM THEM NO MATTER WHAT.

wearytravellers



Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 250

Message Posted:
31/10/2007 05:44

My Mrs and I cannot rate this guy highly enough. HE ACTS on YOUR INTERESTS, and has no quams getting stuck into the builders. He is a Rottweiler and has many contacts.A great guy from Arbroath in Scotland has been settled in TRNC 3 years already.



Name: Terry Hamilton.

Address: GOKTUG, YILDIRIM & HAMILTON

Office 2

Kalnaris Merkezi

Girne

TRNC



Tel:0090 (0)392 8160446

Email: g_y_h_lawyers_conveyancers@yahoo.co.uk

meddmale


Joined: 19/11/2007
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 18:23

Be very careful when picking solicitors as there is one practicing in Girne with NO legal qualifications whatsoever



Unbelievable but true



Check out their qualifications first

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 19:38

alanka



HSBC in North Cyprus is not a franchise it is part of the worlwide HSBC Group

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 19:40

I bet he is manure

Richy


Joined: 17/11/2007
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 20:23

I too rate Terry Hamilton (he's a Scot but don't hold that against him !) - very down to earth and seemingly trust worthy with good reputation... transfered to him from Munir Akil (who seem's well qualified but missed the ball park with us !!)... we also contacted NAOMI MEHMET who has a good reputation only Santa Fe had draft contracts lodged with a short list of solicitors and she was not one of them... the additional cost was not worth it in my opinion (Terry was £800, Naomi was £1,250 or there abouts).. anyway Terry was amenable to changes... A couple of tips, ensure you get a cancellation clause (full refund + imnterest) if development goes on beyond 6 months !! Also anything your Agent says needs to be noted and if not contracted you can't be sure it will be done !.. make sure water & electricity connection charges have a maximum ceiling - if possible get the developer to pay a share and ensure you receive receipts before agreeing payments..

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 20:30

I heard HSBC wasnt anything to do with UK and that came from a guy who did our snagging and has lived in TRNC for a few years.



We use Naomi Mehmet too - comes highly recommended. All the staff in her office speak English too and so does she.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 20:40

Boredhousewife



I can assure you that HSBC in North Cyprus as well as HSBC in the UK is part of the worldwide HSBC Group.



How did this come about, well a few years ago HSBC took over a bank in Turkey and that bank had a branch in North Cyprus. At that time the GC's moaned about it but couldn't do anything.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 21:02

Boredhousewife



Take a look at the link below:-



http://www.hsbc.com.tr/eng/branches_atms/branches/branches_result.asp

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
19/11/2007 21:22

Richy

I'm sure Terry doesn't mind that your English as long as you pay him!!!!

Jim

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
20/11/2007 00:11

I eat my words! Only going by what someone has told me!! Sorry

smoggyjim


Joined: 21/07/2007
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
20/11/2007 07:46

I am with Terry too seems ok up to now.

Milou


Joined: 15/10/2007
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
20/11/2007 10:04

Hi



Another good solicitor - nothing too much trouble, alert, efficient, recommended by many:



Ayhen Sener

Felowship BUsiness complex, Sener Law Firm, No. 15

Iskenderun Avenue, Kyrfenia, via Mersin 10, Turkey

Tel: 0090 542 881 2058

email: mshener@senerlawfirm.com



Regards

Richy


Joined: 17/11/2007
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
20/11/2007 20:57

wackyjim, c u jimmy r a scot 2... and you're right about the money, only I think it's more a solicitor thing rather than being Scottish ;-)

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
20/11/2007 21:33

Richy



Aye!!! I forgive you this time, but be warned do it again and I'll get my dodgy friend on to you he is 6'4'' ugly as sin and guess what he is from Croatia!!!!



Jim

victoriasloss


Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 46

Message Posted:
21/11/2007 10:05

http://trncpropertywarning.freewebsites.com/admin.php?p=edit&idd=33&menu=menu1&rt=0



This link will take you to the new page on the



http://www.trncpropertywarning.freewebsites.com



for Lawyer Recommendations as issued by the British High Commission



DO-NOT USE A LAYWER NOT LISTED



DO NOT PAY ANY LEGAL FEES IN ADVANCE - IF YOUR LAWYER IS HONEST THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO BE PAID EITHER IN STAGES AS WORK IS COMPLETED OR AT THE END



DO NOT PAY A PENNY FOR SERVICES IN ADVANCE - ITS NOT NECESSARY

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
21/11/2007 11:22

Victoriasloss



Your link takes you to a web building page????



Jim

victoriasloss


Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 46

Message Posted:
21/11/2007 11:49

I know sorry - still not good at this !!!!



just go via the normal page





http://www.trncpropertywarning.freewebsites.com



and click on the link



Sorry :0(

Richy


Joined: 17/11/2007
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
21/11/2007 18:58

don't worry Victoria but next time it could get the doddy Croat...

Jim... I'll let you know how scared I am after the game.. being a Scot I'm sure you're fully behind England arn't you ;-)

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
21/11/2007 20:36

Richy



Believe it or not I actually would like to see England do well the only thing that p****s me off is that if England do well tonight ( which I think they will do) then the press will have Euro 2008 won by this weekend!!!!



Its like the press up here before the Italy game they were telling everyone to look out their suitcases cancel the spanish holidays etc... and even recommending places to stay.....talk about banana skins and of course the next day papers had to have a pop at the ref for causing this mass suicidal disaster.



Anyway good luck tonight.



Jim.

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
21/11/2007 22:40

32mins gone not going to well croatia 2up! farewell maclaren hello 'special one'

meddmale


Joined: 19/11/2007
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
23/11/2007 18:37

The HSBC in north Cyprus is part of the Global Hong Kong & Shangri Banking corporation (HSBC) the same as in the UK & world wide



HSBC is based in Turkey with the North Cyprus being a sub branch of one of their mainland branches



World wide HSBC separates its branches by country so if the Turkish branch went down HSBC`s main operation may or may not cone to its rescue



I believe there was an instance in South America where a run on the HSBC of that country was not bailed out by the main HSBC opperation

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
23/11/2007 19:14

I can find no evidence of there being a run on HSBC in South America, quite the reverse, HSBC have expanded considerably in South America over the last few years.

Richy


Joined: 17/11/2007
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
23/11/2007 19:22

...ooooooh dear England.. we did not deserve the penalty either...better side one...gutted !!

jmg171


Joined: 19/05/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
22/01/2008 23:29

We are with the hsbc girne and at the moment no response to my e/mails,anyone else with the same problem

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
23/01/2008 11:35

Terry Hamilton represents us, he has done us proud.

meddmale


Joined: 19/11/2007
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
23/01/2008 15:48

Loving Cyprus



With regard to the HSBC issue the point I was making was that as I understand it in south America HSBC treated is branches there as an autonomous local bank an not as part of a world wide group



I have listed an article below for your perusal







http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007/sep/19/business



Argentinian banking crisis



On April 19 2002, in a desperate attempt to prevent the collapse of the economy, the Argentine government was forced to order the indefinite closure of all of the country's banks. Falling GDP, high government spending, rampant corruption, endemic tax evasion, rising unemployment and soaring public debt had finally put the wind up savers. They had lost all confidence in the country's economy and begun besieging their banks to withdraw their pesos, convert them into dollars and invest them abroad. In a move that went down very badly with an already unhappy populace, all banking and foreign exchange transactions were halted. This was even tougher than the restriction introduced a few months earlier that had prevented them from withdrawing more than the equivalent of $500 a month of their own money (in fact, being a resourceful people, many Argentinians had managed to obtain court rulings overturning that particular law, successfully taking out more than $100m a day. By the time the full freeze was ordered, experts estimated the Argentine banking system had been bled of more than 10% of its cash). At one stage security staff in the Buenos Aires headquarters of HSBC opened fire on the protesters.

meddmale


Joined: 19/11/2007
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
23/01/2008 16:48

Guys



When picking a solicitor let conmen since prevail, do your home work on where they studied and what qualifications they hold



Ask about fees and what you get for your money, how will they keep you informed of any developments, what process they would use to resolve problems with you developer if things do go wrong



What property checks(land registry) they carry out and how they could demonstrate they have carried out these checks?



All solicitors work with estate agents and developers but you need to find out if they only work with reputable estate agents and developers



Ask what they do with your money on deposit with them (client account) and what they do with the interest on your money (If they keep it they have a great incentive to delay your completion)



Find out how many of their staff speaks English as a first language



Talk to other buyers about their experiences,



Short list a few (3) solicitors and ask for a brief free consultation to help you decide visit all before deciding





Once you have decided ask as many questions as possible and follow their advice



We used



Naomi Mehmet & Partners ...her web site can be found at



http://www.nmplegal.com



I would recommend adding her to your list

pizduck


Joined: 18/01/2008
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
28/01/2008 13:16

hello there, my parents are in the process of putting a injunction on there builder as he has gone bust also the land he has built on is owned be the bank making it illegal ,they had to change there solicitor also,the problem is that there new solicitor/lawer is very hard to make contact with as he wont respond to his emails nor phone message's for the past 3/4 weeks,is this normal pratice with the hole process being layed back,can anyone recommend this solicitor? Mustafa Akibilen (H+A) his office is in town ,walking distance from centre, i get the impression if are not on the island at the time you get put at the back of the Que maybe,many thanks.j

berty



Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 216

Message Posted:
28/01/2008 17:38

regarding HSBC being part of the world wide HSBC group. THis is true however unlike HSBC in some countries there is no tie up with UK HSBC so be careful if you are expecting the same services and access to your account in UK, it simply doesnt work that simply.

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
28/01/2008 21:58

talking banks, turkbankisi have 2 London branches, quite useful for quick transfers to NC

simma



Joined: 03/02/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
08/02/2008 19:56

Hi All, my villa is almost complete so I can't say yet that everything has gone to plan. However up until this point he has been excellent. If anyone wants his name and e-mail address give me a shout.

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
08/02/2008 20:03

Interesting to read just how pleased some people are with their choice of lawyer at the moment (Not). See the thread 'New Legislative Law'.

norths4me


Joined: 19/04/2007
Posts: 269

Message Posted:
08/02/2008 20:32

If your solicitor is honest and has told you that the new property law that it is up to the developer to pay for the registeration of you contract please give me details. If they have asked you to pay them £350 to do it, run a mile

jmg171


Joined: 19/05/2007
Posts: 183

Message Posted:
08/02/2008 22:05

Hey! You forgot to mention the £1200 + £20 for your photocopy.

I wonder what the fee's will be now with this new law???

My guess is !!!....£1200 or £1250 + £350

Georgie


Joined: 10/01/2008
Posts: 14

Message Posted:
08/02/2008 22:11

Hi

We are also using Mine Konat and were wondering if you were advised at the time of contract signing to pay the stamp Duty at the lower level of 0.5%.

We were not and it now looks like we are paying at 1.5%

irishvixen


Joined: 25/05/2007
Posts: 63

Message Posted:
10/02/2008 11:49

we used elym sakir at Gurkan and Gurkan. a big company, slow as christmas, doesn't reply to any requests or e-mails. Would highly recommend some one else!

norths4me


Joined: 19/04/2007
Posts: 269

Message Posted:
10/02/2008 12:08

We used N. Mehmet & co and until this request for £350.00 for registering the sales agreement was quite happy with. Emails replied to promptly same day in fact or at the latest the following day. The charge was £1200 which I did think was steep but paid it regardless. Was advised to pay stamp duty at 0.5% on signing contract. Overall very happy with the company its just a shame this greedy side has shown itself.

Cherie


Joined: 09/02/2008
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
11/02/2008 11:03

Hello I have used Sener Law Firm and found them to be most efficient, on the ball, their English is perfect and they are not expensive, very professional hope that helps

gwendoline


Joined: 08/06/2009
Posts: 13

Message Posted:
09/06/2009 12:09

I know she is expensive and I know some folks have had problems but as far as lawyers go I think Peyman Erginel is the best on offer in Girne. We bought our house some 15 years ago when things were better, we got our permission to buy and our Kocan in eleven weeks back then. Peyman at that time charged us around 1000 GBP for the legal work involved when my Red Loin Square lawyers in London were charging around 500 GBP for legal work involved in buying a house in the UK. Whilst I have had several bills from my UK lawyer since for small jobs like writing letters, Peyman has never sent me a bill for the advice she has given on a couple of occasions since our purchase 15 years back. She is also honorary solicitor for the BHC and has been for many years. Always ask for a written quote for any legal work from any lawyer here.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
09/06/2009 12:35

Neg Nick's view.....



It's all good getting reccomendations for lawyers, but make sure that the people who are reccomending their lawyer have:



1. received a good service.

2. Paid a sensible price.

3. Have got their permissions to purchase AND their title deeds.

4. Got their mains electric and mains water.

5. all access roads to the site are completed and the builders mess removed (by the builder).



You have then got a lawyer that is worth using.....





Nick

ronie


Joined: 11/02/2009
Posts: 67

Message Posted:
09/06/2009 14:20

We have used Talat Kursat for the last six years.Got to know him really well.He dealt with the purchase of our land,dealt with the building contract,found and sued the builder after he ran away with our money,(won by the way).



Great guy,perfect english what more can I say?

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
09/06/2009 16:13

Keep it quiet but I think Izzy Okray and his staff are brilliant. Been using them for 5 years for various different things, but I don't want too many of you going their and it getting too busy. They've had to change to appointments only now as so many people just used to drop in for a chat and advice.

nostradamus


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 557

Message Posted:
09/06/2009 18:08

Izzy Okray may well be OK so long as you do not find that he is also representing the builder. If he is then you can be absolutely sure that he is not fighting your corner - the builder comes first every time. Nothing new in this in the TRNC. I have used, for many years, Gunesh Mentesh and found him to be excellent, especially when the going gets tough. He is a UK barrister and QC not, like most of them, just a UK law degree.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
09/06/2009 19:28

I changed to Terry Hamilton on recommendation as I was having problems with 1st one.

He was fine - very helpful and particularly told me exactly how to deal with 1st lawyer to

finish. Unfortunately since he left that firm I have not found same of his ex partners.

No replies despite constant tel. calls, emails. He is always in court and busy. Last Nov.

he told me I should be hearing about my PTP soon and now it is 2 years past April and not

a word, and he is too busy to reply.

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
04/05/2010 00:22

message 24

Sener's are rubbish

babygirl


Joined: 13/02/2010
Posts: 109

Message Posted:
04/05/2010 01:41

Re message 51 - I completely agree, Peyman was great in my purchase and that was 5 years ago and the same fee £1000.00 and when swimming pool was not good and eventually got in someone other than original builder she demanded and won that my original builder lose £2,500.00 of his final payment due to bad workwanship. Also permission to purchase and kocan done within one year. Had since sought other advice and she not charged a lira, well done to Peyman.

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
04/05/2010 09:31

I agree with message 12, Naomi Mehmet are excellent

Chelpet


Joined: 10/03/2010
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
04/05/2010 19:14

I was suprised at MSG 48 as we used Ayse Gurkan of Gurkan & Gurkan and found her very good, she replied normally same day to emails, and charged us £1000.00 fee for the purchase of our villa, also her English was almost perfect and and most of the staff also spoke English, she also sorted out our Cyprus wills with no hassle at all.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
04/05/2010 19:35

Msg 60

You are joking, aren't you?! Gurkan & Gurkan charged me for promised work which was NEVER done! Be it all that was eleven years ago, I cannot see how that their working practices have changed for the better. Another rogue Advocate to avoid is Mehmet Bilimer.



Richard

clayton


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 1143

Message Posted:
04/05/2010 19:45

naiomi mehmet for me

dorothea


Joined: 28/06/2010
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 12:44

do not use munir akil. he is useless.

professoregit


Joined: 30/08/2008
Posts: 381

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 13:07

Mina Konat, no thanks, she charges top rates and has a template for contracts which she charges £500.00 to rubber stamp even though I actually wrote the contract and clauses myself. What really stuck in my throat is

that when the builder eventually stuffed me, she dragged her feet regarding litigation and was actually going

to outsource litigation to an unknown because she knew the family of the builder even though I asked her from the beginning if there was any conflict of interest. She is a glorified conveyancing agent. Beware!

luem1


Joined: 29/07/2009
Posts: 109

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 14:35

We got our Kocan - from Casa Construction, Cafer Guzelyari no less - using Peyman Erginel. The lady is like a dog with a bone. I'm an English solicitor and would recommend her.

Isabella


Joined: 02/10/2008
Posts: 199

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 16:39

I also agree that Payman Erginel is excellent. We have had ongoing problems since purchasing and she has given advice without additional payment. A very professional practice.

EsentepeKav


Joined: 21/06/2010
Posts: 24

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 17:06

We used







Naomi Mehmet & Partners - they are excellent - lots of english speaking staff and they are very efficient

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 17:23

Mess's 24 & 50:

This company has left us and other british families in a gigantic mess - we are now in court through their incompetence.

DO NOT USE:

Ayhen Sener

Felowship BUsiness complex, Sener Law Firm, No. 15

Iskenderun Avenue, Kyrfenia, via Mersin 10, Turkey

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 17:27

Forgot to add:

Ayhen Sener is not an Advocate and certainly not a qualified advocate - she plays the role of Advocate and deals with everything.

We had huge problems after a year and then discovered that she is a 'legal secretary' - been there, done that!!!!!.

It is her husband who is the Advocate but we did not know that until the shit hit the fan!!!!!!

it you deal with him you will now be passed on to Allessina (I will say no more)

clayton


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 1143

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 19:38

naiomi mehmet for me

liz w



Joined: 09/10/2008
Posts: 270

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 21:46

we are still waiting for Eylem Sakir at Gurkan and Gurkan. to either phone us or e.mail us about our payment to the builder, we have been in touch several times and have not had an answer for months and months. they also had our PTP for more than a year and didn't bother to tell us. If it wasn't for the fact that we paid £1000 up front for fees etc we would change like a shot !!!



Liz

mozgor



Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 22:31

we bought 2 properties through Dervise Cerkez who has an office up the side street opposite the courts. UK qualified, fluent English, very competant PA - always has her clients interests at heart and is quick to advise if she thinks you are taking a wrong turn. Also did our wills for us and had them registered at the court.

WAZ-24-7



Joined: 18/10/2008
Posts: 695

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 23:46

No recomendations.

Take nothing for granted and buyer beware.

Check, ask, check again and be very very carefull.

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
29/06/2010 08:30

Read the Home Buyers Pressure Group website and find out what you need and then

- Ask your advocate for copies of all docmentation translated into English.

- Ask him/her to let you know when each stage/document has been completed/received and get copies

- Ensure you get copies of all payments made to the advocate AND

- Payments made to the builder on your behalf and ensure that they are the same

- Keep copies of all e-mails/correspondence

- Ask for photographs of any building/construction being done on your behalf AND

- Ask for independent verification of the photographs to ensure that they are your indeed of YOUR property

- DON'T pay your advocate until he has completed the job

- ENSURE that the stated payments are low at the beginning when the builder only uses concrete and wire and increase for the last 2 payments when fittings etc need to be installed - the more you owe at the end - the more chance you have of getting the job done - NO MONEY - NO FINISHED HOUSE