LEGAL: Questions and Answers by an Egyptian lawyer

[Zeiad Yehia]

Originally Posted by wemyss1960

Thanks!

another question if I may.

I have contracts in my name only,would it be possible to add another name when registering through the court ? (not land registry)

Nope, in fact you can't. However, you still have 1 of 2 options:

Option 1: Seek an amendment wit the developer in order to add names.

Option 2: Make a separate contract between you and the other names and sell them portions of the property, and you can decide the percent.

All the best,

Zeiad Yehia
Solicitor

[Zeiad Yehia]

Originally Posted by Roger

On that note;

If you own a property in Egypt in your own name, does ownership automatically pass to the benefactor of your will (or automatically to your next of kin), or is there anything in Egyptian law preventing that?

It is granted by the Egyptian law that it passes to next of kin. If you want to specify another certain person as successor, then they must be mentioned either in the contract, or in a separate agreement with the developer, or in a registered will via a solicitor.

All the best,

Zeiad Yehia
Solicitor

[Zeiad Yehia]

Originally Posted by wemyss1960

Hi Zeiad,

I have paper work from the developer stating 'all requirements for the transfer of title are fulfilled'

what are the steps and costs to register through the courts? I am going to Hurghada in April.

Hello Stuart,

First of all the developer must register his project beforehand, otherwise purchasers will have to wait until it is registered in order to proceed. Please make sure whether the developer has registered his plot yet or not, this is the first step. Second step - I'm talking about 'registration in the notary office' here-, get a lawyer to carry on with the registration legal steps there, and eventually you'll get a new contract from the notary office stamped with the state stamp, stating that this certain property belongs to you, and this is the strongest title of deed in Egypt. If the project is not registered yet but you still seek some security then go for the "Signature Validity" legal suit.

Costs for registration shall not exceed EGP 2000 "depending on the area of the property" plus the lawyer's fees.

All the best,

Zeiad Yehia
Solicitor

[realestatemart]

Originally Posted by Zeiad Yehia

You're welcome Stuart. When the serious time comes I'll be happy to secure your transaction if you want.

All the best,

Zeiad Yehia
Solicitor

MR. Ziad where your office located? hurghada or sharm?

[Zeiad Yehia]

Sharm, and I practice in many places in Egypt.

[queenie40something]

Originally Posted by Roger

On that note;

If you own a property in Egypt in your own name, does ownership automatically pass to the benefactor of your will (or automatically to your next of kin), or is there anything in Egyptian law preventing that?

Hi Roger

My contract states

Incase of the death of the 2nd party ( May Allah Not Presdestine - god forbid I think ), its heir shall, under this contract, replace the deceased 2nd party in the usufruct right of such allocated unit in accordance with this Contract, and all the provisions of theirs Contract shall be valid and enforceable for them. Moreover, said heirs shall comply with all the obligations and commitments transmitted to them from the deceased Second Party under this Contract and shall be entitled to all rights and privileges enjoyed by said defunct in his lifetime.

I have however added my spoue and youngest daughter to my contract.

[tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by Zeiad Yehia

Hello Veronica,

Freehold is still granted in the region of Dahab, but for other reasons I strongly disrecommend Dahab as a real estate market.

It is companies, regardless of their nationalities, and not individuals, that are now prohibited to be granted the freehold right in Sinai Peninsula, according to the new prime minister's decree no. 350 of 2007.

Brief Answer:

You CAN get a freehold on properties in Dahab, but I'm strongly advising you NOT to do.

Good Morning Zeiad,

A number of fellow members recommended I made contact with you we are about to purchase our first property in Hurghada Egypt and have been assigned a law firm by the sales people. We are not sure on the detail of Egyptian law or what costs are invloved etc.
We were originally told it would a fee of £1000 but on receiving terms there seems to hidden extras etc They are quoting fees of £500 more to register the contract with the Egyptian Court and more to register the title to the land with the land registry plus court fees etc. They have also quoted a fee of 1.5% of the opurchase price tax is to be paid?


We would very much appreciate any help you can offer!

kind regards

[Roger]

Originally Posted by queenie40something

Hi Roger

My contract states

Incase of the death of the 2nd party ( May Allah Not Presdestine - god forbid I think ), its heir shall, under this contract, replace the deceased 2nd party in the usufruct right of such allocated unit in accordance with this Contract, and all the provisions of theirs Contract shall be valid and enforceable for them. Moreover, said heirs shall comply with all the obligations and commitments transmitted to them from the deceased Second Party under this Contract and shall be entitled to all rights and privileges enjoyed by said defunct in his lifetime.

I have however added my spoue and youngest daughter to my contract.

Thanks for the info Queenie. Assuming that my contract will be pretty much the same as yours, I think I'll probably do the same as you have and add specific family members. Better to be safe than sorry!

[queenie40something]

Hi Roger - we were advised - but also as we are leasehold it means that if I add my hubby and daughter and anything happens to me then the lease will go to hubby and if anything happens to hubby lease will go to daughter without having to pay £1000 to transfer it into new name. Also need to get that will done!!!

[noushkey]

Hi

I have received my contracts and now need a Solicitor to look over them and advise me throughout the purchase. I have phoned and e-mailed approximately 10 companies who all promise to call me back or send me details.... but to no avail.

Does anyone have a reliable Solicitor they would reccommend as I seem to be struggling to find anyone who wants to take my money (that's a first!!!!)

Many thanks.