Newsroom
Following complaints involving the Municipality of Paphos and its suspended mayor over the handling of Turkish Cypriot properties, Cyprus’s Ministry of Interior has launched a review of leasing practices managed by the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service.
According to information obtained by CNA, a ministry team is expected to travel to Paphos next week to examine rental agreements concerning Turkish Cypriot properties, including leases granted to the Municipality of Paphos itself.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Elikkos Ilias, confirmed that the inspections in Paphos are part of a broader campaign of sample checks being carried out across Cyprus. He explained that the purpose of these audits is to ensure that leasing arrangements comply with existing regulations and to report any irregularities to the legal “Guardian” responsible for overseeing Turkish Cypriot property administration.
Ilias said the Ministry is making an extensive effort to improve and streamline the overall management system for these properties. He noted that similar interventions have already taken place in other areas, such as Mackenzie, where issues related to leasing terms were addressed and unusually low rental rates were revised.
Regarding the ongoing investigation linked to the Paphos mayor, Ilias declined to provide further details, saying it would be inappropriate to comment while inquiries remain active.
He also recalled that concerns about the management of Turkish Cypriot properties in Paphos are not new. An administrative investigation was previously carried out during 2021–2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, after earlier complaints. That inquiry resulted in recommendations directed at the mayor concerning his role as a committee member and his involvement in lease decisions in the district.
Ilias emphasized that checks on Turkish Cypriot property contracts will continue in all districts, noting that the number of agreements is large and therefore inspections are conducted on a sampling basis.
Separately, he said the situation within the Municipality of Paphos has stabilized since the mayor was placed on suspension. The only remaining issue, he added, concerns a municipal councillor who has been asked to decide whether to remain in office or continue with his professional work, with developments expected in the coming days.
Finally, Ilias remarked that the country is currently experiencing an increase in complaints between individuals and groups, adding that social media may be contributing to this climate. He stressed that the Ministry treats every allegation seriously and acts strictly within the law, while urging municipal and community councils to follow proper procedures, respect regulations, and adhere to the principles of administrative law, particularly in how meetings are conducted, minutes are recorded, and decisions are made.
