In an effort to improve public safety across the island, Cyprus is preparing to tighten the existing regulations on dangerous buildings. The newly proposed amendments aim to grant authorities more robust powers to address unsafe properties swiftly and effectively, particularly in urban hubs and historically sensitive areas.
The Parliament’s Standing Committee on Internal Affairs has introduced changes to the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law, designed to empower officials to identify, secure, and if necessary, demolish buildings posing immediate or potential threats to residents and visitors alike.
A significant innovation in the updated law is the establishment of a new legal status for “potentially dangerous buildings.” This forward-thinking measure enables authorities to act on early signs of deterioration before a structure officially qualifies as dangerous.
This broader classification goes beyond structural integrity to include risks such as fire safety hazards, poor upkeep, corrosion, subsidence, construction flaws, and other issues that may jeopardize safety.
Following visual inspections, authorities can now mandate property owners to engage qualified engineers or consultants for comprehensive assessments and technical reports. Owners may be required to:
Owners have a 30-day window to submit responses after formal notices. For buildings already labeled dangerous, authorities can demand immediate remediation plans or demolition where necessary.
The reforms empower authorities to evacuate unsafe buildings and, if occupants resist, seek court orders for enforced removal and physical sealing of the property to restrict access.
Non-compliant owners face tougher consequences: disconnection of utilities like water and electricity, direct intervention to repair or demolish, and the ability for the state to reclaim costs via legal charges registered against the property. Flexible payment options over up to 36 months are available, though with a minor administration fee.
Financial repercussions for violations will see substantial increases. Initial fines could double from €10,000 to €20,000, with repeat offenders facing fines up to €40,000. Administrative penalties issued directly by authorities follow the same escalation.
The legislation also pioneers fixed penalty notices for specific infractions, such as failure to fence a dangerous building (€2,000) or to seal it (€1,000). Timely payment within 45 days avoids criminal prosecution, whereas unpaid fines will lead to court action.
Local municipalities and community councils must promptly report dangerous or potentially unsafe buildings, accelerating detection and intervention. Additionally, the Director of Development Licensing can delegate enforcement tasks to district government officers, facilitating faster action.
These amendments mark a crucial evolution in Cyprus’s approach to managing building safety, responding to recent incidents of building collapses and the ongoing deterioration of aging constructions. Staying informed is vital for anyone involved in the Cypriot property market, especially if you’re scouting for Affordable Apartments for Sale in Cyprus or looking into Plots of Land for Sale. Understanding these regulations helps make safer investment decisions.
For a detailed review of the proposed legislation, refer to the official document here (in Greek).
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