Legal

Former footballer takes on dodgy developers

Ex-Premier League and England Under-21 winger Neil Heaney has become the chief executive of a law firm to help ex pats who have been stung by overseas property deals.

24 October 2011

Eurozone property buyers urged to negotiate discounts

Buyers considering investing in eurozone countries are being urged to negotiate discounts to reflect the possibility that some nations may exit the euro.

24 October 2011

Any questions: Legal - September 2011

I'm interested in buying an apartment I've seen on a new development in Fethiye. The project is nearly complete but some of the communal areas and facilities still need to be built. Given that there have been problems with some developers leaving projects unfinished - not only in Turkey, but in a number of countries - and considering that Turkey is not within the EU, what can I do to protect my money if I were to put a deposit down on the apartment?

31 August 2011

Spanish properties benefit from VAT reductions

New measures from the Spanish government have slashed the IVA (equivalent to VAT) on all new build properties from 8% to 4%.

22 August 2011

Fact or Fiction?: Changes to title deeds laws in Cyprus

It should be a favourite choice for expats, retirees and holiday homeowners, but the property market in Cyprus has been blighted by delays in issuing title deeds. Can a new law sort the situation out and get us back in love with Aphrodite's Isle?

1 August 2011

British expats to benefit from new tax reforms

Proposed UK tax reforms could mean good news for overseas property owners from Britain who will now be able to spend up to a third of the year in the UK without incurring any tax.

31 July 2011

Any questions: Legal - August 2011

After 20 enjoyable years on the Costa Blanca, my mother recently passed away. The villa she lived in was in her name but she hadn't made a will, so I am now in a bit of a quandary as to who actually owns it. I have no siblings and the only other family my mother had is a younger sister who is still alive, living in the UK. Understandably, I want to ensure all the necessary paperwork is in order. My intention is to keep the property for holidays with my family. Any advice as to what I should do next would be very welcome.

31 July 2011

Assetz to the rescue

A deposit rescue initiative has been launched by property investment firm Assetz for distressed overseas property purchasers who have lost their reservation deposits as a result of failed overseas property development.

28 July 2011

Cyprus seeks to overcome backlog of title deeds

Anyone buying a home in Cyprus will be delighted to learn that the Cypriot government has sped up the issuing title deeds procedure, allowing the authorities to potentially issue up to 1,200 title deeds a month and 25,000 annually, according to the country's interior minister Neoclis Sylikiotis.

20 July 2011

Any questions: Legal July 2011

I've heard that lifetime loans, or Hipoteca Inversa, are available in Spain? Is this true and who are they suitable for?

30 June 2011

Any questions: Legal

We answer your legal queries: We cannot afford the final payment due on our terraced bungalow in Spain, which is €128,000 (£113K) including all fees. The developer has not defaulted in any way and I've been in touch with them on numerous occasions to see if they could give our money back without going through the courts. However, all they do is tell me to get a lawyer but we cannot afford to pay out €5,000-€10,000 (£4,420-£8,850) for this. Also, I understand the value of the property has fallen to around €98K (£87K) - we bought in June 2007. Any advice welcome...

30 May 2011

Any Questions - Law - May 2011

Stefano Lucatello, joint senior partner at the International Property Law Centre, shares his advice on the value of a solicitor in European purchases and signing reservation contracts.

1 May 2011