Needs some planning, but how about this ? Luton to Istanbul on Easyjet, then spend a few nights in Istanbul, which is a great stop-over ! Then take a flight to Ercan (N.Cyprus) from Istanbul. I flew Istanbul to Izmir with Pegasus (very cheap) to see family, then Izmir to Ercan. It ain't gonna cost much different to Stansted to Ercan, but you get a great break in Istanbul, then relax in Kyrenia !

If anyone wants a great little family hotel 250m from the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet look up Alzer Hotel in TripAdviser.com Luckily that's where I found it 6 months ago.

However, N/Cyprus cannot be done without pain but you can convert some pain into fun !

Hi,

I read in the PS tax secrets book that losses from holiday lets could be offset against other property portfolio gains. Has anyone established whether or not foreign property can be included in this way?

If so, letting one of these properties for 70 days in the year could make them a more attractive proposition as a long term hold.

Hi Mike

Unfortunately, unless our Darling Chancellor has had another change of heart (extremely unlikely as two climb downs are probably enough for one year) then you cannot offset losses from foreign property against profits from UK property lets.

The flood gates would truly open I think.

Jo

OK, I'll have to think of another way to induce you to stay in Cyprus!

Keep trying Mike, I change my mind every day about that place and it's nice to know that you care!

Hi Jo,
When you say you 'change your mind every day about that place' - do you mean North or South or both?

Our apartment. After all we've been through I call it 'That place' - it will take a while to think of it warmly - nice kitchen and furnishings though!!!

Hi all

More news on the Cyprus issue from this week:

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Turkish government must pay €835,000 to the family of a Greek Cypriot for the loss of his property in Kyernia, Cyprus.

Turkey must pay the heirs of the late John Demades, who died in 2006, the amount within three months – during which time it can appeal the decision.

The impact of this is that a precedent has now been set and it is now understood that the ECHR would recognise Greek Cypriot ‘refugees’ as the rightful owners of their properties.

Its a very small step but in the right direction

Noreen

Thanks for that update Noreen.

On a more negative side, I received this email this morning which is impacting on the property sector in the South and it's about time this case was wrapped up so it would be helpful if Property Secrets and anyone else who has any influence at all on the parties in this case could help to bring this to a speedy conclusion - it has gone on far too long and just seems to get worse. Every country has their fair share of 'dodgy dealing' but on a small island like Cyprus, the impact is huge and needs to be corrected quickly.

.....

Demonstration in London

Dear Sir/Madam

I’m Conor O’Dwyer from http: / /www .lyingbuilder .com/ I’m organising a demonstration outside the Cypriot Embassy in London. The message of the demonstration is:-

“The Cypriot authorities protect crooked developers and unscrupulous lawyers.”

I will be joined by other victims of property scandals in Cyprus together with our MEP’s. Details can be found on this link.
http: / /www .lyingbuilder .com /demo .html

Problems suffered by victims range from the non issuing of title deeds, structural faults, illegal building and developers extorting immovable property tax and transfer fees. Many victims are resident in Cyprus but will be represented by their offspring who may inherit the problems drawn up by unscrupulous lawyers.

In my particular horror the Minister of Interior told the media “an Investigating Officer has already been appointed” That was in August 2007! Since then I’ve been brutally beaten for just looking at my house from the roadside in Frenaros. Every month my lawyer Yiannos Georgiades chases the authorities for a criminal investigation into the reselling of my house and every month it’s the same. It’s stuck at the local level.
In the latest twist in my saga a lawyer who once represented us in the case is now representing the opposition. I will of course report this matter to the attorney general for disciplinary proceedings but as I have little faith in the speed of that investigation I have exposed the lawyer myself on my website.

http: / /www .lyingbuilder .com /response .html

Over this weekend (25 - 27 April) my wife and I will publicized our situation by leafleting outside at the property show “A Place in the Sun Live” at the ExCel centre in the London Docklands. Celebrity guests from the channel 4 programme will head a weekend of seminars while exhibitors in the main hall will be displaying their property developments.

A copy of the leaflets to be distributed as well as high quality images of our last protest can be found at:-

http: / /www .lyingbuilder .com /protest .html


Kind Regards

Cornelius (Conor) O’Dwyer

Thanks for posting this update on Conor O'Dwyer's situation, Jo. I note the lawyer who's apparently changed sides in this case is the lawyer selected by PS on at least two of the PS deals. He seems to have withdrawn as the purchase lawyer for the Nicosia deal, which has yet to complete! We're going to be completing on the purchase without a lawyer by the looks of it!

All the best
Helen