Tenants urge Parliament for fairness amid €150 to €2,800 spikes

The Professional Committee for the Management of Turkish Cypriot Properties in Limassol has reported significant rent hikes for commercial assets.

Approved lessees have sent letters to the Parliament, prompting the Refugee Committee to discuss the matter on Tuesday. Consequently, they urged the Committee to freeze the rent review process until new rental calculation criteria are provided.

Committee President and AKEL Member of Parliament, Nikos Kettis, expressed concerns over escalating rents, mainly in Limassol city and province. Complaints highlighted sudden spikes from €150 to €2,800 and from €30 to €999, as per citizen letters.

"We've requested an immediate examination of how the Service calculates rent increases," stated Kettis. He emphasized the need for rational adjustments, opposing previous hikes ranging from €20 to €50. "We've never supported or will support such impositions. Rationalization means imposing necessary increases but at reasonable levels," he added.

Kettis criticized the state's current approach, suggesting it contributes to rent surges in Limassol. He highlighted cases where state interventions led to exorbitant increases, up to 1000%, fostering an unsustainable environment.

The rental assessment, based on land registry estimates, relies on property transaction data. Kettis questioned the validity of such data, considering purchases possibly linked to passport acquisition or money laundering.

He stressed the importance of fair increases, denouncing sudden hikes that threaten local businesses' viability. Rita Superman, DISY Member of Parliament, echoed concerns, citing a tenfold increase for an auto repair shop, from €126 to €999.

"The government must revise criteria to ensure reasonable increases and inform affected parties beforehand or provide alternative solutions," Superman urged.

Kettis and Superman both demanded a halt to the process until new criteria are presented to Parliament for discussion.

Georgios Matthaiopoulos, Director of the Service, confirmed the freeze until new criteria are established.

Christos Senekis, DIKO Member of Parliament, justified the review, citing rising property values and the need for fair competition. However, he stressed the importance of holistic solutions and state support for affected businesses.

While rent adjustments are essential, they must be grounded in reality, Senekis emphasized. "The Service should set reasonable rents to fulfill its mission for refugees' benefit. However, where tenants face difficulties, the state should offer substantial assistance for their professional relocation," he concluded.

[With information sourced from CNA]