Reforming how jointly owned buildings are managed is an opportunity to tackle longstanding problems. These affect the safety, upkeep and day-to-day running of many thousands of buildings, as well as the protection of their owners.
As discussions continue, the Cyprus Property Developers Association has submitted a targeted proposal to the House Interior Committee. It suggests using the planned online registration of jointly owned buildings and their management committees as the starting point for a digital identity for each building.
Online registration is a necessary first step. Effective management also needs a complete, regularly updated picture of a building’s condition, the work carried out and its maintenance needs.
One reliable record for each jointly owned building
A digital identity could bring essential information together in one reliable file. This would support the proper management, maintenance and safety of each building.
The file could include details of the building and its individual units, planning and building permits, technical information about shared facilities, certificates, technical reports and energy performance data. It could also record maintenance, repair and upgrade work, along with details of the current management committee and authorised representatives.
The aim is to organise information that is now spread across different files and public services, or is not recorded consistently, and make it available when needed.
Management committees could check what work has already been completed, when the last technical inspection took place and what action may be needed next. Building records would also remain available when the committee changes.
A clear maintenance history can help committees act earlier, prevent problems and make better informed decisions.
Phased introduction
The Association says the new system should be designed properly from the outset. The jointly owned building register, committee registration and digital building identity should form connected parts of one system, using common technical standards across Cyprus.
The system could be introduced in stages. The first stage could record basic building details and the current management committee. Technical documents and maintenance records could be added later.
Where possible, the system should use information already held by public services. This would avoid asking owners and committees to submit the same details again. The rules should also clearly state who updates the records, who can access them and how the information is protected.
European examples offer a guide
Similar systems are already in use in several European countries. Greece has operated its Electronic Building Identity since 2021. It records basic details about buildings and individual properties, making it a close comparison with the Association’s proposal.
In Belgium, the Woningpas and Gebouwenpas bring together information from different sources on energy performance, installations and renovations. France’s Carnet d’Information du Logement provides a record of homes and energy upgrade work. Digital tools such as CLÉA also bring together technical, legal and energy information.
These examples show that a similar approach is possible and could be adapted to Cyprus.
Building a foundation for the future
The digital identity proposal should not delay the necessary reform of jointly owned buildings. Instead, the aim is to design the new online system so it can develop gradually.
That would allow today’s reform to lay the groundwork for a more modern approach to building management. It could support prevention, proper maintenance and the protection of property owners.
At a later stage, and after the right legal framework has been assessed, the same approach could also be considered for Cyprus’ wider building stock.
The goal is not simply to digitise information. It is to move from dealing with problems in a piecemeal way towards a more organised culture of prevention, maintenance and building safety.
By Mersina Isidorou, General Manager of the Cyprus Property Developers Association
Translated from an article published by the CPDA
