Sale agreement
The written contract in which seller and buyer agree the property, price and terms. In Cyprus it is deposited with the DLS to protect the buyer until the title is transferred.
Updated 12 Oct 2026How it works
A sale agreement, or contract of sale (πωλητήριο έγγραφο), is signed before ownership is transferred, often long before when the property is new. It normally sets out the parties, the property and its registration details, the price and payment schedule, the delivery date and who pays which costs. It is worth having an independent lawyer, not one recommended by the seller or developer, check the property and review the contract before you sign.
The rules in 2026:
- Search certificate. Since 12 December 2023, the seller must attach a search certificate dated within five working days of the contract (Law 132(I)/2023). After a transitional period that ended on 16 May 2026, the DLS can fine sellers who do not.
- Mortgaged property. The contract can be accompanied by Form A, signed by the seller and the bank: the price is paid into the account the bank names, and the bank must release the property.
- Stamp duty. Contracts signed from 1 January 2026 carry no stamp duty. Those signed up to 31 December 2025 still had to be stamped.
- Deposit. The contract should be deposited at the District Land Office within six months of signing. Since 2026 it is lodged with form DE 314, which refers to the essential terms by page and paragraph.
Why it matters when you buy
Until the transfer, the contract is your proof of what you bought and on what terms. Deposited in time, it gives you the right to seek specific performance and ranks ahead of charges registered after it.