The Cyprus government is committed to transferring responsibility for managing jointly-owned buildings from the Department of Lands and Surveys to the District Local Government Organisations (DLGOs).
The move could have a direct impact on apartment owners and others in jointly-owned developments.
New system for jointly-owned buildings
For the owners of property in jointly-owned buildings, one of the biggest changes will be a new system for managing and supervising the buildings. The DLGOs are expected to take greater responsibility for overseeing management committees and ensuring buildings are properly managed.
The new system is also expected to be funded through fees paid by property owners and other users. The Interior Ministry has agreed that the proposed fees should be reviewed to reflect the actual cost of providing the service and ensure its financial sustainability.
This means owners could face new or revised charges once the system is fully operational. The final level of fees has yet to be established, with the DLGOs’ cost assessments expected to inform any review.
Electronic property records planned
The changes could also improve access to information about jointly-owned properties. The government plans to create an electronic register of jointly-owned buildings, linking information held by the Department of Lands and Surveys with records held by the DLGOs.
A connection between the new system, the Land Information System and the IPPODAMOS planning platform should allow ownership and property information to be updated more efficiently.
For owners, this could eventually mean a more streamlined way of dealing with property records and building management.
Two-year transition period
The government expects a transition period of up to two years. During this time, the DLGOs will develop the necessary systems, establish procedures and recruit and train staff before assuming full responsibility.
Owners of property in jointly-owned buildings should therefore not expect an immediate change. The transition is intended to give authorities time to put the new framework in place and reduce disruption when responsibility formally moves.
The government has ruled out reversing the transfer despite concerns raised by the DLGOs. It argues that the current system has weaknesses, including limited supervision and enforcement tools, and that managing shared buildings requires a different organisational structure.
Impact on owners
For owners, the reform could ultimately mean greater oversight and clearer administration of jointly-owned buildings, but potentially at the cost of additional or revised fees. The precise financial impact will depend on the final fee structure and how the new system operates once fully implemented.
