Accelerated Title Deeds Issuance
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou announced significant improvements in the Title Deeds issuance process on Thursday. These enhancements aim to reduce the average processing time to just three months, compared to the previous duration of one to three years.
Government Commitment to Faster Growth
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Pan-Cyprian Association of Land Development and Construction Entrepreneurs, Mr. Ioannou emphasized the government’s dedication to creating a growth-friendly environment. This commitment has been in place since June 2023.
The shortened issuance time for Title Deeds comes as a result of streamlined procedures within both the Department of Lands and Surveys and the Department of Town Planning and Housing. Additionally, Mr. Ioannou highlighted efforts to improve urban and spatial planning efficiency, speeding up services and promoting development.
Tackling Historical Delays
Mr. Ioannou acknowledged the long-standing delays in the Title Deeds process, which have affected many property owners. He outlined goals for more adaptable and quicker procedures to eliminate unnecessary delays. “We recognize that these delays have impacted many individuals,” he said. “Our goal is to introduce more flexible and faster processes.”
New Procedures for Parcel Division
One major change to accelerate Title Deeds issuance is the introduction of a new procedure for parcel division applications. This adjustment, effective from January 2, 2024, prioritizes previously completed external demarcation and surveying tasks. This ensures that all applications are submitted accurately and fully, avoiding the need for additional documents.
Mr. Ioannou also stressed the importance of completing external demarcation before parcel division. “This will ensure that future developments remain within the actual boundaries of the property plots,” he explained, adding that this will help prevent disputes among neighboring property owners.
Private Surveyors to Speed Up the Process
Another key reform is the department’s recent decision to adopt private licensed surveyors for parcel division tasks. This allows property owners to directly hire private surveyors for surveying work. As a result, department staff can focus on other responsibilities, reducing delays.
“These reforms will lead to a notable decrease in processing time for applications and, ultimately, faster issuance of Title Deeds,” Mr. Ioannou concluded.
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Source: Cyprus Property News
