How to read a developer instalment plan before you sign it
Which clauses matter, which are negotiable, and the one that decides what happens if the build stops.
Last checked 2026-08-02 · Research desk, Ncyprus
An instalment plan is not a mortgage. There is no lender, no independent valuation and no third party checking that the building is worth what you are paying. The developer sets the schedule and the schedule is the product.
Read the milestone definitions before the percentages. “Structure complete” means different things in different contracts, and a stage that is defined loosely is a stage the developer can invoice early.
The clause that matters most is the one covering delay. Most contracts here are silent on it. Where a penalty exists it is usually capped at a few per cent, which is worth having but is not compensation — it is a signal that the developer expects to be held to the date.
Payment terms move more easily than headline prices. A shorter schedule usually buys a better price than asking for a discount on the same schedule, because it changes the developer’s cash position rather than their margin.
İskele & Long Beach
The largest concentration of new supply on the island, and the lowest entry prices. Large schemes, short-let oriented.
Questions
What deposit is normal?
Across the 247 off-plan projects currently listed the median deposit is 35 %, with a range of 25–50 %. Sample taken 26-08-2026 from published developer terms.
Can I resell before completion?
Usually yes, subject to a developer transfer fee of typically 1–3 % of contract value, sometimes only after a set percentage is paid.