According to the proposal, property owners will not be able to sell their units until all communal bills are settled and they obtain official confirmation from the management committee of the complex.
Why the new rules are being introduced
The main purpose of the bill is to address the chronic problem of unpaid communal expenses by some owners. In many multi-apartment complexes, a portion of residents ignore payments for the maintenance of common areas, repairs, and insurance. As a result, the costs are shifted onto conscientious neighbors, creating conflicts and hindering the proper operation of buildings.
The bill provides for the mandatory establishment of a management committee in every residential complex. Owners will be required to contribute to its work as part of the common expenses. The committee will have the authority to impose sanctions on those who refuse to pay and to initiate debt recovery actions.
Rights and obligations of owners and tenants
The bill also considers cases where a property is rented out. If the landlord fails to pay communal expenses, the tenant will have the right to cover these costs directly. Afterwards, the tenant will be entitled to legally deduct the amount from the monthly rent. This mechanism is intended to protect the interests of management companies and prevent the burden from falling on responsible residents.
Each property owner will be obliged to contribute at least 20% of the total costs associated with the maintenance and repair of the building. Funds will be deposited into a special account in a licensed bank, opened by the management committee.
How the collected funds will be used
The money will be used not only to cover basic services but also to improve the infrastructure of the complex. In particular, funds will go towards:
- property management and administration,
- building insurance,
- repair and renovation of common areas,
- modernization and energy-efficiency upgrades,
- the creation of a reserve fund for unforeseen expenses.
Thus, residents will be guaranteed that their building is properly maintained and costs are shared fairly.
When the management committee can intervene
Under the draft law, the management committee will have the right to carry out repair or maintenance works in common areas if they are necessary for residents’ safety or normal living conditions. However, before doing so, the committee must take all reasonable steps to contact the responsible owner and provide them with “reasonable time” to fulfill their obligations. Notification may be sent by email, post, or delivered in writing.
What this means for the Cyprus real estate market
If passed, the law will represent a major step toward greater transparency in the real estate market and more orderly management of residential complexes. For buyers, it will provide an additional guarantee: when purchasing an apartment, they can be certain that the property carries no outstanding communal debts.
Experts note that the new rules could reduce the number of legal disputes between neighbors and increase the attractiveness of residential complexes for foreign investors.