The management of shared buildings in Cyprus is disorganized, causing conflicts among property owners and resulting in poor upkeep of numerous buildings. To tackle this problem, the Land Registry forwarded it to the Commissioner of Legislation, who then sent it to the Ministry of Interior. A new law to regulate shared buildings is in the works, but its progress has been delayed.

In response to criticism regarding the slow pace, Vasos Yazos, head of the Land Registry’s ownership division, mentioned that the draft was with the Commissioner of Legislation for final revisions. However, he couldn’t specify when it would be presented to Parliament for approval. “I can’t promise a completion date because we’ve integrated many opinions and suggestions,” he noted. Due to numerous proposed changes, submitting the draft to Parliament by the anticipated January 16 deadline was unfeasible.

The revised bill now sits with the Ministry of Interior, which will analyze it before forwarding it to Parliament for deliberation and approval. The Ministry received two documents: one detailing changes based on stakeholder feedback, and the other, the comprehensive bill, to assist in evaluating the amendments.

This proposed legislation aims to enhance the management of shared buildings, resolving ongoing disarray that leads to frequent conflicts among owners and results in neglected properties. The bill had reached the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs roughly a year ago but required further refinement.

Christos Kyzis, president of the Cyprus Association of Condominium Managers, pointed out significant issues stemming from the current law. He stated it lacks effective measures to collect dues from owners refusing to pay shared expenses, leading to funding shortages that cause maintenance problems. “Elevators can’t be serviced, leaving people with mobility issues stranded in their apartments. Unpaid electricity bills also impact all building residents,” he explained. Kyzis also warned about the precarious state of many balconies, some at risk of collapsing, and remarked on the absence of any fatalities as fortunate. The Limassol municipality recently identified 400 buildings needing urgent repairs, underscoring the severity of the issue.

Kyzis criticized the Ministry of Interior for not accelerating the bill’s progression, urging the government to advocate for its enactment so local authorities can begin enforcing it.

Recent data presented to Parliament shows Cyprus hosts around 30,000 shared buildings, encompassing roughly 200,000 apartments. Many of these properties are in poor condition due to ambiguous regulations. The new law’s delay perpetuates problems like unpaid fees, maintenance neglect, and safety hazards, affecting thousands of residents. Immediate action is essential to finalize and approve the legislation, ensuring effective building management and enhanced safety for all residents.