Britons warned against buying properties in north Cyprus as they may find themselves in court”

British pensioners seeking retirement homes in Cyprus are being warned they could face legal action if they purchase properties in north Cyprus, where prices are up to 50% cheaper than in southern Cyprus, the Daily Express reported.

Cypriot officials caution that many properties being sold to unsuspecting buyers were not owned by the sellers, creating potential legal complications for purchasers.

Properties up to 50% cheaper but may belong to displaced owners

The warnings relate to properties in north Cyprus, which has been under northern Cyprus authorities since 1974 and are not recognised under international law.

Property prices in north Cyprus are significantly lower than in the south of Cyprus, often 30-50% cheaper, due to higher development and tourism in the south and different currencies.

Republic of Cyprus prosecutes illegal property sales online

The Republic of Cyprus, where 1.3 million Britons holiday annually, is pursuing legal action against those illegally selling properties belonging to displaced Greek Cypriots. In May, two Hungarian women were jailed for advertising Greek properties online.

Four more people – a Ukrainian man, a German national and two Israelis – await trial on charges including advertising sales of Greek Cypriot properties and illegal possession.

Websites such as “Live and Invest Overseas” are promoting Kyrenia as “the tourism capital of North Cyprus” without mentioning the island’s division, the Daily Express reports. One video titled “8 Things You Should Know About Cyprus” omits the division entirely.

Menelaos Menelaou, Chief Negotiator for the Republic of Cyprus on Monday, warned British buyers against purchasing properties in north Cyprus. “They are going to a place where there is an occupation, an illegal occupation and an illegal regime that cannot produce any legal acts, including in the field of selling and buying of properties,” he said.

When asked whether British buyers could face court action, Menelaou replied: “If the lawful owner initiates legal proceedings, then they might find themselves in a situation of having to face legal consequences.”

He added that buyers cannot claim ignorance as a defence, noting they must verify the legal nature of property sales before purchasing.