anyone heard from Lapis recently

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 12:44

Three months ago we were told our Kocan for our villa was ready by our lawyer - we just needed to pay the vat. When we inquired further we were told by Megan at Lapis there were still some hold ups. Since then nothing has happened and there has been no response to several emails.

Has anyone had any communication with Lapis recently? Has Megan left the company and if so who are we supposed to communicate with?

Would appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on the Kocan situation as we know several people on the Lapis Beachside development in the same situation.

If anyone from Lapis reads this please tell us with whom we should communicate now.

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 15:47

Unfortunately I am unable to shed any light on Lapis however I note from one of your earlier posts you had received your PTP in July 2008. Do you know why it has it taken a further two years for your lawyer to sort out your Kocan?



Have you tried calling Lapis offices?

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 16:08

We were always led to believe that it would take a couple of years so we were pleasantly surprised when our lawyer contacted us in the autumn of last year. The last information we were given was that the parcelization of the site was with the land registry office.

To be honest when we are not in TRNC we don't waste time phoning the Lapis office we have always dealt with them by email - and to be fair they have always replied until recently (several emails have now gone unanswered) - even though the content of the reply was usually not very helpful or informative.

When we next come out we will go to their office - I hope there will be someone there - if anyone is going by in the next few days perhaps you could look in and see if there is anyone there.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 16:33

Have you tried info@lapisdevelopment.com ?

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 17:01

clivearup, out of interest did you pay the "vat"?

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 17:14

No not yet we've asked our lawyer to tell us when this is actually going to happen and then pay the vat in return for the Kocan - this may be wishful thinking.

beachsidebum


Joined: 02/03/2010
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 17:22

Hi Clive, its Ray at Beachside,, Megan has left the company and returned to the UK.

Nobody mans the office anymore and there are phone numbers on the door.

When you ring theses numbers they are answered by Turkish/Cypriot speaker who speaks no english.

They are still working at Caragge site on some days.

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 17:39

Thanks Ray - this is roughly what I thought was happening. Have you or anyone else got any news about their Kocans.

beachsidebum


Joined: 02/03/2010
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 18:42

Not yet, but currently chasing the matter up with my solicitor.

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 19:35

it would be interesting to know if anyone has ever got their Kocan from a Lapis development.

Alicat


Joined: 27/07/2010
Posts: 73

Message Posted:
21/02/2011 22:07

We have recently received our permission to purchase, however, we have been informed by our solicitor that Lapis are currently not able to pay the builders transfer fees to the Government, they are prepare to transfer the deeds if the purchaser wishes to pay the fees.

TRNCvictim


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 1417

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 00:08

So yet again another con!!!!! you need to pay the transfer fees!! If I was in your position I would probably pay the fees!!!



Poor old Lapis CAN'T PAY!



Just one thing before you pay anything make SURE Lapis will hand over your Kocan (Deeds) If not DON'T hand over one single penny!!!!

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 11:57

Can anyone clarify exactly what the transfer fees are? It would be good to know how much this is likely to be. The residents at Beachside can then decide what to do next.

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 14:17

In answer to my own question - now that I've looked it up and for the benefit of others in the same situation.



Transfer Fee: The fee is payable to Land Registry Office and is set at 6%. However, every person has a once in a lifetime option to reduce this to 3% if the property's total area is less than 200 m². If a purchaser elects to use this option on the purchase, he or she will only pay 3%. Once this option right has been used, the transfer fee payable on all future purchases by that person will be 6%. This tax is paid upon Land Registry's valuation of the property purchased (which is practically 40% less than the market price of a property). Note: Tax is paid when the title is registered on your name.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 15:11

Hi,



I think you are talking about your transfer fee but the builder has to pay as well and this is what he is asking you to pay. He will also have to pay capital gains tax, it is possible he will ask you to pay this on top of the transfer tax.



If it is any consolation we have had our ptp for over 2 years and paid our VAT on hand over of keys to our property.

We have had our property 5 years now but no sign of any kokan or even parcellisation. In the present climate I cannot see us getting them soon, unless of course all owners on site agree to pay the builders taxes.



The butlers wife

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 15:59

Thanks for that rather depressing news! Does anyone know what taxes the builder/developer has to pay if these are on top of the amount I noted in message 14.

Molly


Joined: 30/08/2008
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 16:35

Allow 10% of the purchase price for title deeds as the Buyer's contribution (it is always slightly more than anticipated). You must also have an up to date Property Tax receipt.



If you have to pay the Vendor's tax - 4% must be paid on transfer of title. It is 6.25% in total but 2.25% is a deferred payment.



My understanding is that the Lands Office is awaiting one signature on the sub-division documents - presumably one of the directors. Thereafter the separate title deeds can be issued.



I believe the Vendor's lawyer is Mustafa Akbilen

H & A Law

810 0060



makbilen@lawyercyprus.com

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 17:22

Thanks for that information we are getting our lawyers on to it. I suppose we will never find out why the final signature is proving so difficult - but it can only be money I suppose.

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 17:27

Doesn't it say everything abouth the TRNC construction industry when a company as large as Lapis won't/can't meet its' obligations. Whilst they can't afford to pay the transfer taxes, no doubt there owners/directors are still driving around in their Mercs and Range Rovers !!



Paul

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 20:59

I'd still like to hear from anyone who has ever got their Kocan from a Lapis development.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 21:07

"This tax is paid upon Land Registry's valuation of the property purchased (which is practically 40% less than the market price of a property)"

Be careful of this statement. I believe it was the case a few years ago that the LR valuation was generally lower than the market price but this does not seem to be the case nowadays. A friend of mine was told by the LR that the purchase price they paid was far too low and valued their property at about 3 times this amount. A lot will depend on when the property was purchased.

Molly


Joined: 30/08/2008
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 12:06

messages 20 and 21



No-one will have title deeds if the separate title deeds are awaiting issue.



Since January 2008, the contract price is the basis of the valuation (if the contract was registered). It is then subject to increase depending on the date of the contract. As we all know, prices never go down in the TRNC!

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 12:16

I take your point Molly but I was referring to other Lapis developments, which I think there are according to their website.

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 16:09

clivearup



We have friends on Pine Tree 1 at Karagaac and understand that several of the owners on this Lapis development have their Kocans.

berty



Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 216

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 18:27

i can confirm what twoexpats states

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
23/02/2011 20:36

Thanks that's good to know.

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 07:08

Re message 25. Ian. You have mail.

berty



Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 216

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 14:24

what do you mean i have mail.

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 14:28

Re message 28 - I mean I have sent you an email! You have obviously never seen the film

clivearup


Joined: 29/10/2008
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
24/02/2011 16:52

re messages 24 and 25 - did Lapis fulfill their obligations regarding building warranties and carry out repairs as required. Did they pay their taxes prior to the issue of your Kocans? Or did you have to pay?

berty



Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 216

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 16:20

they have not paid thier taxes and therefore in Breach of Contract, see your solicitor.



With regards to Waranty they told me to take them to court when I tried to claim against warranty. That was the last meeting I had with them. Email me if you need more

berty



Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 216

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 16:24

they have not paid thier taxes and therefore in Breach of Contract, see your solicitor.



With regards to Waranty they told me to take them to court when I tried to claim against warranty. That was the last meeting I had with them. Email me if you need more

berty



Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 216

Message Posted:
26/02/2011 16:25

Hey Will (twoexpats) didnt get the email

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
27/02/2011 07:42

Ian,



I have resent the email.