Local councils and district authorities are reluctant to assume responsibility for unsafe buildings as legislators prepare new regulations granting them more authority to act. A bill introduced by MP Marinos Mousiouttas proposes terminating water and electricity services to hazardous buildings and prohibiting owners from leasing them out.

Should property owners disregard safety advisories, authorities could be permitted to enter these premises and undertake measures to mitigate risks. Non-compliant owners might incur penalties up to €40,000 or face imprisonment for as long as two years.

A significant number of local councils are hesitant to accept this responsibility due to property owners frequently refusing to finance required repairs. According to government officials, this situation compels councils to bear the expenses initially and subsequently attempt to recoup the funds expended on securing the structures.

The proposed legislation grants authorities the power to levy fines of up to €40,000 and mandate the evacuation of buildings at risk of collapsing.

When a building is determined to be structurally unsafe, officials are required to notify the owner and provide an explanation of the dangers. The owner is then allotted a timeframe to engage an engineer to evaluate the risks and recommend corrective measures.

According to the plan, property owners have 30 days to submit a written response. Failure to act allows authorities to impose fines and orchestrate the necessary interventions. This may involve conducting repairs, demolishing the building, or securing it with fencing.

The expenses for these interventions would then be registered as a financial charge against the affected property with the District Land Registry Office, thereby preventing the owner from selling the building without first settling the debt.

Parliament is anticipated to deliberate on the bill in the forthcoming weeks as officials strive to establish an equitable approach to managing dangerous buildings across the island.