Nearly a month after authorities applied for a court order to evacuate the Seagate apartment complex in the Germasogeia tourist area of Limassol, no decision has yet been issued, highlighting what local officials describe as a slow and ineffective legal framework for dealing with dangerous buildings.
According to Yiannis Tsouloftas, President of the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (DLGO), the ongoing case demonstrates that while legal mechanisms exist, they incapable of delivering swift solutions when public safety is at risk.
The matter returned to the Limassol District Court for a procedural hearing concerning the organisation’s application for an evacuation order, originally filed on 20 May.
Mr Tsouloftas explained that property owners have lodged an appeal against the authority’s request, which is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of the Interior.
If the court eventually grants the order, the owners will be required to vacate the residential complex, which is home to approximately 60 families. Failure to comply could lead to legal consequences, while responsibility for enforcing the order would fall to the police.
Faster powers needed to address unsafe buildings
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Tsouloftas argued that the current legal framework leaves local authorities unable to respond quickly to dangerous structures.
“Legal tools may exist, but they are time-consuming and ineffective,” he said. “They do not allow the organisation to provide an immediate solution to a problem involving a dangerous building.”
He called for legislative reform that would give local authorities stronger powers to deal with hazardous properties swiftly and effectively, reducing risks to residents and the wider public.
Funding questions add to property safety challenge
The DLGO has also raised concerns about how the costs of dealing with dangerous buildings should be funded.
As a self-financing organisation supported by revenue from water supply, sewerage services and licensing activities, the authority has been assigned responsibilities that generate no direct income.
Mr Tsouloftas questioned whether residents should face higher utility charges or increased building permit fees to fund intervention in privately owned properties that have fallen into disrepair.
He argued that such measures would be unfair and potentially unlawful, noting that European regulations require the authority’s different services to operate as separate business units without cross-subsidisation.
Housing pressures leave residents with few options
The social impact of building evacuations remains another significant concern.
Mr Tsouloftas noted that some tenants may lack the financial means to secure alternative accommodation if an evacuation order is enforced.
With Limassol continuing to experience a severe housing affordability crisis and some of the highest rental costs in Cyprus, lower rents in ageing and poorly maintained buildings can leave residents with little choice but to remain in potentially unsafe accommodation.
He stressed that the issue extends beyond local government and requires a coordinated response involving central government, local authorities and other public bodies.
“The DLGO cannot solve these problems alone,” he said. “There must be cooperation between local government and the state, which has access to broader taxation revenues and greater financial resources.”
Limassol has around 1,000 potentially dangerous buildings
The challenge faced by Limassol is substantial.
According to the DLGO, around 1,000 potentially dangerous buildings have been recorded across the district. Of these, 262 have undergone visual inspections by civil engineers from the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) under an agreement with the authority.
Inspection reports have been completed for 220 properties and are currently being assessed by DLGO engineers. The aim is to determine whether buildings require immediate evacuation or whether maintenance and repair work can sufficiently address safety concerns.
Properties classified as extremely dangerous will be given a deadline for remedial action by owners. Should owners fail to act, the authority intends to pursue legal measures to compel safety improvements.
To date, 96 buildings in Limassol have officially been declared dangerous. Of these, 70 were designated under the current DLGO framework, while 26 cases were inherited from previous building authorities.
The Seagate case is now emerging as a significant test of Cyprus’ ability to address deteriorating residential buildings amid growing concerns over housing safety, affordability and the effectiveness of enforcement powers available to local authorities.
