DIDIM construction company ASEM has successfully negotiated the changeover of title deeds for one of its complexes in time for Christmas.

The controversy of changing your title deeds from the middle box (KAT İRTİFAKI) to the left hand box (KAT MULKİYETİ) was first highlighted by Voices back in early summer.

It left a lot of people bemused by the laws which first stated that certain parties would face fines of 1,000 TL if the changeover was not completed by the end of November.

What complicated it further was that the original law stated that apartment owners needed to submit to the changeover all together for their particular complexes – which was highly unlikely with most people having holiday homes and based abroad.

However, the threat of the fine and deadline was lifted and the government agreed that owners could apply for the box changes individually.

In the midst of all of this, Asem’s staff were struggling with the bureaucratic nightmare of changing the title deeds for its customers on the 20-apartment ASEM 1 complex, based just off Marina Road, Didim.

Asem partner Clare Bitkay said that while the whole of the process took the best part of two months, her staff had to struggle through with no actual guide as to how to do the change over.

She said that the process would normally include getting your DASK insurance, going to the Didim Council to obtain the certificate of habitation, going to the tax office to ensure there were no debts on the complex or apartment/villa, before going to the land registry office.

After that it was a trip to the Title Deeds office for the boxes to be changed.

She said: “The cost per apartment on Asem 1 was 50 TL each but it may well be different for private owners who apply for the changeover themselves. It has been a nightmare process and a very steep learning curve.”

She added: “We often went to the wrong office and we were frustrated by other issues but we have now got everything completed and we can now move on with confidence in completing the process for our other complexes.

On Asem 1, the first to receive a changed title deed were Pauline and Lesley Mountain. Pauline said: “This is the best Christmas gift for us as it means the whole tapu process is now complete.”