The Cypriot government has introduced a new bill aimed at addressing long-standing problems in the management of jointly-owned buildings, with new provisions for professional safety inspections and mandatory reserve funds. However, the legislation is already facing criticism for failing to effectively tackle the most critical issue: the non-payment of communal fees by delinquent owners.
Key Provisions for Building Maintenance and Safety
The proposed law, which is being discussed by parliament, aims to introduce a modern framework for the proper management and upkeep of apartment blocks and other shared properties.
A key provision will empower management committees to commission structural, mechanical, and electrical inspections by certified professionals. This is intended to address the widespread neglect and safety risks seen in many older buildings, such as deteriorating balconies and walls.
The bill also requires committees to establish a reserve fund (or sinking fund) to ensure money is available for unplanned repairs and maintenance. Other new measures include mediation procedures for resolving disputes and updated rules on fire safety.
The Critical Flaw: Non-Payment of Communal Fees
Despite these positive steps, critics argue the bill does little to solve the single biggest problem plaguing management committees. The bill’s primary enforcement mechanism against non-paying owners is to prevent the sale of their property until any outstanding communal fee debt is settled.
This means an owner who has no intention of selling can continue to ignore their financial obligations for years without immediate consequence. This leaves management committees without the necessary funds for a building’s insurance, cleaning, and essential maintenance, forcing them to pursue a slow and costly legal process. For rented properties, the bill does allow tenants to pay the fees and deduct the amount from their rent.
Other Legislative Details
The bill, which is being advanced by Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou, has passed a legal review by the Attorney General.
Notably, a controversial amendment removed the requirement for regular, mandatory building inspections, making them optional and dependent on a committee’s available funds. The minister has indicated that this provision might be reinstated in a future amendment to a different law.
Source: Cyprus Property News