The following information was provided during a 25 October 1997 telephone interview with a specialist on Iran in England.

The specialist stated that the real estate business is governed by the law of the market in Iran. Iranians who want to sell their house must prove the ownership to a "mahzar" (similar to a notary) who will finalize the sell and transfer the information to the municipal authorities. This process can take months due to the numerous bureaucratic procedures. It can be even longer if the seller has a mortgage.

The following information was provided during a 18 February 1998 telephone interview with the assistant editor of the Encyclopedia Iranica and a professor at the Center for Iranian Studies, Columbia University, New York.

The assistant editor stated that the procedures to sell a house take several months and cannot be conducted in a matter of days or weeks because of the bureaucratic requirements such as banking and the registration of property and ownership at the Ministry of Justice.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Specialist on Iran, England. 25 October 1997. Telephone interview.

Assistant editor, Encyclopedia Iranica, New York. 18 February 1998. Telephone interview.