Newsroom
The Parliamentary Refugee Committee has moved to end the practice of auctioning Turkish Cypriot homes, reaffirming that such properties should be reserved strictly for displaced persons' primary residences.
Committee Chairman and AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros announced Tuesday that the decision eliminates the use of public bidding to allocate these properties, which in some cases had been repurposed as holiday homes. “No one will be entitled to put Turkish Cypriot homes up for auction,” Kettiros said, stressing the homes must serve their original purpose, housing for refugees.
While existing contracts for holiday residences will remain valid and renewable, no new such allocations will be permitted.
The Committee is also reviewing a proposal to allow displaced persons to claim derelict properties, homes needing more than €40,000 in repairs, if they are willing to cover excess costs themselves. Though the relevant authority raised concerns over equity, Kettiros said the plan would offer a solution to those still without housing. “Rather than someone never getting a home, let’s give them the chance,” he said.
In a separate move, lawmakers rejected a plan by the Turkish Cypriot Property Management Service to charge 75% of market value in rent for small businesses. Kettiros labeled the proposed increases, from €500 to €2,200 in some cases, as excessive. The Committee is advocating for a tiered system that supports family-run businesses while ensuring revenue collection from profitable enterprises in high-demand areas.
The Committee aims to finalize its proposals by next week, allowing a vote on regulation changes before Parliament’s summer recess.
