Property crisis intensifies in Northern Cyprus: lawyers call for urgent reforms in TMK operations

The property ownership crisis in Northern Cyprus is worsening. Lawyers warn that the current regulatory system — primarily the Real Estate Commission (Taşınmaz Mal Komisyonu, TMK) — can no longer handle its responsibilities.

In a Gündem Kıbrıs publication, lawyers stated that the number of property disputes is increasing, while the TMK is overloaded and cannot process applications efficiently. Some decisions also create legal risks for the entire compensation mechanism. A new wave of discussions arose following the case of Simon Aykut, accused of illegally using Greek-Cypriot property in the north of the island. Court records indicate that Aykut admitted to part of the charges, which lawyers believe may set a dangerous precedent for similar cases and weaken TRNC’s legal position.

Lawyer Ahmet Said Sayın noted that government authorities have effectively acknowledged the system’s vulnerability: many owners of northern “cabbages” (property title documents) may face challenges with their property being contested in international courts. According to him, without intervention, the crisis will worsen. Sayın emphasized the need for “urgent reforms that will restore citizens’ trust in the TMK and accelerate the compensation process.”

Lawyer Feyzi Hansel added that Aykut’s admission of guilt in the courts of the Republic of Cyprus increases pressure from the southern part of the island and may lead to a rise in international lawsuits against the TRNC. He stressed that the TMK must become more transparent and protect the interests of Turkish Cypriots, rather than leaving them exposed to legal risks.

His colleague Mustafa Asen highlighted the issue of “equivalent property” — a system in which northern property was allocated to Turkish Cypriots in exchange for property left in the south. According to him, this scheme often leads to unfair outcomes: “Legal equality does not mean justice. Simple compensation does not restore historical and moral losses.”

Lawyers also pointed out TMK’s financial difficulties. The commission faces a budget shortfall: part of the funds intended for compensation is withheld by the Ministry of Finance, causing payment delays. Some applicants wait years for their cases to be resolved, even though they are formally considered processed.

Experts agree that the TMK requires a comprehensive reform — both legal and organizational. Funding must be increased, case processing accelerated, and European Court of Human Rights decisions enforced, which recognized the TMK as an internal mechanism for protecting property rights in Northern Cyprus.

Lawyers warn that if reforms are not implemented soon, trust in the institution will be completely undermined, and property disputes could escalate into international conflicts and lawsuits against the TRNC.