Cyprus must make meaningful progress on unsafe and jointly-owned buildings during the new parliamentary session, according to the Property Developers Association. The group says there is no longer room for further delay.
The association has called on the House of Representatives and its Interior Affairs Committee to move the legislation forward without delay. It argues that building safety is a matter of public interest and social responsibility.
Unsafe buildings need urgent legal reform
Draft amendments to the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law, covering unsafe buildings, are due to be discussed by the Interior Affairs Committee in early September. The association says the review should be completed and the amendments passed during the autumn session.
The call follows a series of serious incidents in recent months. In April, the collapse of part of a building in Germasogeia killed two people, bringing the issue of dangerous properties back into sharp focus.
In June, balconies collapsed at a seven-storey apartment building in Kapsalos. The incident again highlighted the need to identify structural faults before deterioration places residents and the public at risk.
Regular building safety inspections proposed
The association supports regular technical inspections for buildings, describing the proposal as an MOT-style system for properties. It believes planned checks would help spot faults early, before they develop into major safety hazards.
“Building and public safety cannot be left to chance,” said Mercina Isidorou, the association’s director general. “During the new parliamentary session, it is important to complete the legislation on unsafe buildings and finally move forward with reform for jointly-owned buildings.”
(In June the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) renewed its calls for the introduction of mandatory building MOT-style inspections.)
New rules sought for jointly-owned buildings
Reform of the rules for jointly-owned buildings has been pending since 2023. The proposed framework should now be given fresh momentum so it can finally reach a vote, the association said.
It wants a modern legal framework that strengthens management committees, requires reserve funds for maintenance work and provides clear tools for early action. Prevention, regular inspection and timely maintenance, it said, must protect lives, homeowners’ assets and the country’s building stock.
The association said Cyprus must shift from dealing with problems after they arise to preventing them in the first place. It warned that decisive action is needed before the consequences of inaction are seen again.