George Coucounis

The division of a piece of land into separate plots constitutes an important procedure which is subject to the town-planning restrictions on the land, the requirements set by the law on immovable property and the approval of the director of the Land Registry.

The introduction of the notary, who is an officer of preventive administration of justice, in Cyprus, as it exists in Germany and other countries, will solve several problems that constantly concern justice.

The parties to a rental agreement normally agree as to the use of the demised premises and a term is included obliging the owner to sign any necessary application for obtaining relevant permits, if there isn't any for the particular use of the property.

The latin term ‘pari passu' is used as terminology in legal, financial and other areas of everyday business and conveys the meaning of equal and proportionate treatment without priority.

In the exercise of its discretion, the court may invoke the law of equity and order the specific performance of an agreement relating to immovable property, in the context of both parties providing consideration, even when the consideration consists of assistance and care to elderly persons while they are alive.

The assignment agreement is increasingly being offered as a means of securing lending instead of a mortgage and is now being adopted more by banks for customer lending. The borrower is facilitated since they offer the property they buy as collateral for the loan and the bank acquires it until the loan is repaid.

The management committee of apartment buildings is legally obliged to insure the jointly owned building and keep it insured at all times against fire, lightning and earthquake, with a licensed insurer for the amount that it considers to correspond to its replacement value.

Raising a counterclaim is a procedural issue and depends on the party against whom a claim is raised before the rent control court. It is important that there is identification of parties and the same facts arising so that it becomes necessary or desirable to examine the claim and counterclaim simultaneously rather than by separate application.

Property disputes between ex-spouses can be settled by the issuance of a court decision, but this should be conditional and leave it to them to fulfil mutual obligations towards each other. If there is co-operation and good will then each of the spouses receives what they have should and both are satisfied.

Following early termination of a tenancy, the owner of the rented property may find issues arise with the tenant, either regarding rent owed or compensation for damages to the landlord until he finds a new tenant, or for damages to the property, or even for fixtures or equipment that the tenant left behind and seeks compensation for their value.