Q.: I am shocked to read you article on the British Mafia. Is this an organized group or individuals? I am worried myself about my own business.
J.K. – Peyia

A.: You have nothing to worry about. The pressure on the police is on and I hope that this matter will escalate. I have asked for an appointment with the Chief of Police to press the matter further. The “British Mafia”, I referred, to has a face and a name (recorded as such in our security cameras). You will see soon, I hope, the developments. Please carry on your business with no fear.

Q.: Mr Loizou you have helped us tremendously through your articles and I have written a private letter to you explaining on how you have helped us and how we have benefited from your personal response and safeguard our savings of CYP200.000. My friends and I are here to help you, should you need our help (ex British Commando).
K. Lemis

A.: Please, do not get excited, but I am touched by your response. I am aware of your good intentions, but do not think that I need “muscle” people. I am happy with the Cypriot Police.

Q.: Has Antonis Loizou – disappeared out of magic? Mr Loizou I have had a search in the search engines to realize 2 months ago that, yes, your name referred to some estate agents/advertisers (you say illegal estate agents) at Tala. Following your published “British Mafia” article (which I must say it is widely discussed in the British Community at Tala and I suspect elsewhere) I have made a new search to find out that your name Antonis Loizou has disappeared from his web site – Any news?
Tom Grandford

A.: Yes you are right. I was informed by the Police H.Q. (towards which the Minister of Commerce and Industry has directed my report) that this criminal has removed it from his web site. I checked it myself and I have ascertained the same. This is good news for the unsuspecting public. Nevertheless I am pushing the Police and now the Attorney General to go on with legal action because of misleading advertising, plus the fact that this “criminal” estate agent (under the estate agents law) is allowed to carry out his business even without our name.

Thank you for your interest and I hope that the Police will keep a watchful eye. For my part I will not rest to see him go to prison (under the estate agents law). Thank you for your interest.

Q.: Mr Loizou I have learned through the “grapevine” in the U.K., that you are planning to have a monthly program in English in the London Greek Radio and in addition expressing your views, you will provide a “questions and answers” program. I am delighted on this development and I am looking forward to it. When will this happen?
Maryline Staford

A.: I am surprised how a “grapevine gossip” comes about. You must be well connected I must say. There is no secret it seems under he Cyprus sun!! Yes, we are negotiating to produce a no fee program in order to help home buyers and other buyers from Britain to Cyprus. I feel that it will be a unique program, but my dear reader, it is a matter of available time. I have spent half of my life in the U.K. and I love and respect the British people and their way of living. I feel that I owe a duty to the British Market and I will see what I can do – You must carry on your investigation through your “grapevine” and let me know also of the developments!!

Q.: Mr Loizou I have written to our High Commissioner forwarding a copy of your article about the British Mafia. How embarrassed I am for being a Brit. I am a member of the British Association of Residents in Cyprus. Can we help through this channel in addition?
Harry Jane

A.: Please let us not get carried away. My article in general was for all those people who wish to carry on an honest business here not to fear. It was not a cry for help, but your response touches me deeply. I thank you for your offer and I will always try to reduce this new phenomenon as best as I can. We need a few people in prison first as an example.

Q.: The British Mafia – EDD

A.: I will no longer publish the numerous letters of support regarding our British Mafia Article. I just want to thank everybody for their support. I feel that so far the number of letters I have published to and the other 126 so far received (not published) send a message to the “Mafia” people Cypriots/British and others, that we are “all together in this”.

A.P. Loizou

Q.: What is happening to the Russian Market. I have heard of sales for CYP6.000/sq.m. in Limassol for beach villas and CYP3.500-CYP4.500/sq.m. (again in Limassol) for apartments. Are those guys buying us out?
Leslie Gater

A.: Yes, what you “hear” is true, but it is not widespread outside Limassol. Although true about Limassol, prices at the Protaras and other areas are around CYP3.000/sq.m. Oil prices being what they are and the Russian market becoming more affluent than before, the insecurity for the after Putin era etc, have helped towards an “influx” of a large number of Russian funds. I will analyze this market shortly in an article, but I am shocked as you are. Is Cyprus a “heavenly” place?? Some people feel that it is, once it is compared with other competitive destinations. The demand for beach units is fast rising and it is difficult to estimate the future. I am worried!!

Q.: I am aware that the Cyprus Government is pushing for the creation of wind electricity generating mills. Do you think that these ugly looking structures will have a negative effect on the surrounding areas property values?
James Howard – Maroni Village

A.: Based on the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Report, which has carried out an investigation in the U.K., estate agents did not noticed any material reduction in property values. For my part, I cannot share this view especially if these wind mills are connected with high tension lines to transfer the generated electricity (I do not know if they make a noise as well). Yes it will have a negative effect for the immediate area within a radius of around +-1000 meters.

A.P. Loizou

A needed clarification – Property Tax

Q.: I am yet not so clear whether I have to pay the annual property tax since I do not own property more than £100.000.
Sue Patsides

A.: Because some of our readers misunderstood our article on the annual property tax refund, I wish to report that:
(i) Provided your total real estate value as at 1.1.80 does not exceed the sum of £100.000, valued as such by the Lands Office and recorded on the title deed.
(ii) Provided you have deposited your contract with the Lands Office (in case you have no title).
(iii) Upon issue of the titles you can claim a refund of the amount paid to the developer, from the income tax office provided the developer has paid the tax.
(iv) If a property is bought on joined names, the £100.000 amount refers to each co-owner.
(v) Cos have no exception rights/amount.
(vi) If you do not pay your annual property tax to the developer, he may charge you the amount of the capital, plus interest on delayed payments (subject to the contract terms).
(vii) The value s at 1.1.80 is set by the Lands Office once the deeds are issued. For this reason the developer may set a value at his own estimate (as at 1.1.80) which could be roughly 1/3-1/2 of the current market value and charge you on this level. Adjustments to be made once the value is fixed.

I hope that I have cleared the situation.

A.P. Loizou F.R.I.C.S.

Q.: Delighted to read about the subsidies and grants that the Cyprus Government is offering for us E.U. members, as well as the locals. Had you not written about it, I would never had known that I could claim a £6.000 for the renovation of my listed house. I have to thank you for this. I am a very good cook and my specialite is steak and kidney pie. Are you interested for a thank you lunch?
(Ms) Norma Jerry – Mosphiloti Village

A.: My dear madam, I do not know how you came about to know that my British favorite dish is steak and kidney pie. Many thanks for the invitation.

On a more serious note, since your building is listed, you can get something like 60% of the total cost of renovation as a contribution, plus other tax free benefits. I am sending you a list of benefits that you can have including rental income free of tax etc.

Q.: What has happened with your article regarding the cost of drinking in restaurants. Any news? I am a lover of drinks, but I cannot understand how my own favorite “Famous Grouse” whisky which I can buy from the local supermarket for £4.50/bottle, I am charged in a restaurant for £20.
Harry Cliff

A.: No news Harry and I suggest that you follow the “recipe” I have suggested. Invest in a home bar and a B.B.Q. In addition to the danger with the breathalizing test and the increase alertness of the police, going out will make us drink coca-cola only!!

Q.: Permit me for asking you this, but are you getting paid for the articles and the questions and answers column? If not, am I to understand that I can ask all sorts of things and I will not be billed?
Isaic Jerom

A.: No I do not get paid. This column’s purpose is to help people on property matters and to the extent that I can to reply to most of the letters. I wish the Editor publishes all my replies, so that more people will get answers.

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