THE LUXURY development was built by JNM developers. All of the houses, which were only built in 2004, have serious structural problems, from slanting floors, to the partial collapse of stairs, walls, swimming pools and patio areas. Outside drains are exposed in one garden and retaining walls have split.
In November, homes had official notices placed on them stating the decree shall remain in force until such time as repair works deemed necessary by the District Officer are carried out.
A day later, owners were informed that electricity supply to their homes would be cut but it is still connected.
Simon Phillips, his wife Jen and their two children are the only family still living at the development. They say they are unable to move due to financial restrictions and the prospect of homelessness hangs over them.
Phillips said: “We don’t earn enough to take out a mortgage or to rent another property. I would only be able to afford a tiny apartment.”
He said he was also fearful of the possibility of looting if his home were left empty. “I received a phone call from a woman named Sonia…she works at the District Office and placed the notices on all of our doors. She reminded me that we couldn’t stay as there is a ban order in place and that we have to move for our own safety. But I pointed out that although the other five houses have been affected and admittedly our outdoor space has too, including our entrance steps, car port, swimming pool and patio, which have all moved, our house has not.”
“It’s similar to a fault line. We are in a unique position in that our house is behind this line while all of the other homes, and our front garden, are in front of it,” he added.
Phillips said he has appealed to a district official to return with an engineer to confirm his hypothesis but is still waiting to hear back. The Cyprus Mail was told the official was currently away.
“Chucking a family of four out on the street surely can’t be a solution. I want to be compensated with a property of equal value and similar to mine. We paid for it outright and don’t have a mortgage. It cost us €250,000,” said Phillips.
He said that although several people had kindly offered temporary use of their holiday homes or empty properties, that was no way to live. “It’s impractical and impossible. We all need some peace and relief from this terrible situation.”
But he said if the electricity was cut off, as threatened, the family would be forced to move.
A report by the president of Paphos’ Architects and Civil Engineers Association, Chrysostomos Italos was completed in June 2012 and has been handed over to the legal advisers of the homeowners. Italos places the blame firmly on the developer.
