The partial collapse of a residential building in Germasogeia, which killed two people and hospitalised three more, has issued a stark warning over a longstanding and dangerous issue within the Cyprus property sector of inadequately maintained and dangerous buildings.
In a statement following the incident, the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) raised serious concerns that numerous buildings across the country remain in conditions that threaten public safety.
Many dangerous buildings pose risks
According to ETEK, the incident highlights a widespread problem: many property owners are failing to take necessary measures to ensure their buildings are structurally sound and safe for occupants and passers-by.
The chamber stressed that, under current legislation, property owners are responsible for maintaining their buildings and addressing any hazards if a structure is deemed unsafe. It added that it is “unthinkable” for dangerous buildings to remain occupied or rented, placing tenants and the wider public at immediate risk.
New law being discussed
ETEK also noted that current rules are not strong enough to deal with the problem effectively. It has already submitted proposals to the government to improve how dangerous buildings are managed.
A new bill is now being discussed in parliament includes measures including:
- Forcing the evacuation of unsafe buildings
- Banning the rental of dangerous properties
- Cutting off water and electricity
- Placing legal restrictions on properties if owners fail to act
Regular inspections and better tracking needed
One of the main suggestions is to introduce regular building inspections. This would help identify problems early and prevent buildings from becoming dangerous.
ETEK also supports creating a digital register for buildings in Cyprus. This would store key information about each property, including its condition, making it easier to monitor safety.
Call for immediate action on dangerous buildings
ETEK is urging the new parliament to move quickly and approve the proposed law to better protect the public.
It also called on property owners to take responsibility and fix any issues in buildings that are unsafe, to protect both residents and the wider community.
(Translated and summarised from an article published by the Cyprus News Agency)
