Newsroom
Cyprus is preparing to transfer responsibility for managing jointly owned buildings to District Local Government Organisations (DLGOs) from 1 January 2029, under proposed reforms intended to address longstanding problems affecting apartment blocks and other shared properties.
The planned handover follows an agreement between the Interior Ministry and the DLGOs on the conditions required for the organisations to assume the new duties. The legislation remains under discussion, with technical, financial and constitutional matters still requiring attention before the process can advance.
The House Interior Committee discussed the revised framework on Thursday, with MPs welcoming the progress made between the parties. Committee chairman Aristos Damianou of AKEL said the ministry had accepted the DLGOs’ requests, allowing work on the draft legislation to proceed.
The final texts are expected to be prepared over the coming weeks, while the Legal Service examines constitutional questions raised during the discussions. Once the revised bills are submitted, the committee intends to examine them article by article.
The proposed changes concern a system that MPs have described as outdated and difficult to apply. Under the current arrangements, building management committees face significant obstacles in maintaining shared properties and dealing with buildings that may pose safety risks.
One of the central problems is that management committees lack legal personality, making it harder for them to assume responsibility for maintenance and take action when buildings become dangerous or structurally unstable.
DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou said an agreement had been reached between the Interior Ministry, the Department of Lands and Surveys and the DLGOs, with technical and financial questions appearing to have been resolved for the initial implementation period. He called for the legislation to reach the House plenary as soon as possible, given the number of people affected by the current system.
The proposed handover is expected to take place after a two-year transition period, provided the necessary conditions are agreed upon and put into effect. DISY MP Nicoletta Constantinou welcomed the progress but said the central government’s practical support for the district organisations would need to be established.
She also stressed that the final legislation must clearly define responsibilities, protect property owners’ rights and ensure effective administration.
Building safety is another key element of the discussions. ELAM MP Andreas Papacharalambous called for stronger powers for building management committees and mandatory technical inspections of buildings, comparable to roadworthiness tests for vehicles.
He argued that passing legislation would not be enough unless it could be enforced effectively, with clear responsibilities and proper inspections to protect residents and the public.
The House committee is also examining the separate issue of dangerous buildings. Damianou said the responsible ministry had requested until 29 October to take the necessary steps on that matter.
For apartment owners, the proposed reforms could bring a clearer system for managing shared buildings, maintaining common areas and addressing structural hazards. However, their effectiveness will depend on the final legal provisions, the resources available to the DLGOs and the practical arrangements established before the planned 2029 handover.
