Green tabu, shares, court ruling, power of attorney: what each means and the risks
Every listing on Balkoun states the deed status. This guide explains what each status means, which of them can be registered in your name, and where the risks are.
Green tabu
A deed registered at the land registry, where the property has its own property sheet (a subdivided apartment or a plot with its own number). This is the highest level of security: ownership is transferred directly into your name at the registry, and the property can be mortgaged and sold freely. If you can, buy green tabu.
Shares
The property is not subdivided: the whole building is one registered plot divided into a number of shares (usually 2,400), and what you buy is a number of shares, not a specific apartment in the registry. The agreement that these shares 'correspond' to a given flat is an arrangement between co-owners, not an official record. This is common in many areas and can be acceptable, but it means you co-own the whole property, subdivision may never happen, and any co-owner can demand the property be partitioned or sold.
Before buying shares: confirm that the number of shares on offer is actually registered in the seller's name on the extract, ask to see the co-owners' agreement if one exists, and ask about the building's zoning and building permit status.
Court ruling
The seller proves ownership through a court decision (often a ruling confirming a sale or a partition ruling) because the property is not registered in their name at the registry, or because it lies in a cadastral zone that has not been surveyed and registered yet. A 'described court ruling' identifies the property in detail. A final ruling is a genuine document, but transferring the property into your name at the registry may take time or may not be possible for now. Ask for a copy of the ruling with the finality note, verify at the court that it was really issued, and use a lawyer.
Power of attorney
Property is sometimes sold through an irrevocable power of attorney drawn up at the notary, authorising the buyer to dispose of the property. A power of attorney is not ownership: the property stays registered in the principal's name, the power ends with their death, and it does not stop their creditors from seizing the property. Use it only as a temporary step towards registration, and fix a date for the actual transfer in the contract.
No deed
A property with no registered deed and no final ruling, often in informal housing areas. What you buy is possession and a private agreement between two people. The price is low for a reason. Buy only if you know the area well and accept that your right may never be officially recognised.
Frequently asked questions
Are shares cheaper than green tabu?
Usually yes, for the same apartment. The difference reflects the risk and the difficulty of selling later. Compare prices on the area page on Balkoun.
Can shares be converted to green tabu?
Only through an official subdivision of the building, which needs the co-owners' consent and a legal building permit and can take years. Do not count on it when buying.
These guides are general information based on common practice, not legal advice. Procedures and fees change and differ between governorates, so consult a lawyer before any payment.