Filenews 24 October 2022 - by Adamos Adamou
Illegal will in fact be those who after February 7, 2023 own and advertise properties for short-term rentals online if they do not take care until then to register in the Register of Self-Service Accommodation of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, as the grace period in essence ends and the relevant legislation voted by the Parliament after a government bill is activated.
An extension of one year has already been granted for registration after the first deadline expired on February 7, 2022. Due to difficulties that seem to have arisen in the first plans for the registration of interested parties in the register, the Parliament decided to give an extension for another year, with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism estimating that this will be the last.
Speaking to "F", Savvas Perdios said that registrations continue, noting that so far they 10,000 registered in the registry of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism securing a relevant license and registration number and a relevant sign, which should be posted on all websites for the sale of premises such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Tripadvisor and other platforms of the same type. So far, he said, 2,000 properties [equivalent to 10,000 beds] have been registered in the register with the number expected to increase further as we approach the end of the deadline available to those directly concerned. As Mr. Perdios explained, those who are not registered in the register of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, will not be able to legally offer their premises for lease, nor to advertise them.
The submission of applications for registration in the register is done only electronically for natural and legal persons who are interested and, as mentioned, this will continue until the beginning of 2023. The licence/registration fee is €222. After February 7 of the new year, the Deputy Ministry, if it detects premises being advertised or rented without being registered, will proceed with the imposition of penalties and administrative fines.
With the creation of the registry, in addition to the fact that there will be a clarification regarding the tourist beds that are legally available, there is expected to be better control regarding tax issues and safety issues of visitors and owners. As a prerequisite for registration in the registry is the prior registration with the Tax Department (Tax Identification Number or VAT where provided for under the relevant legislation) of the Republic of Cyprus and the insurance coverage of the Accommodation in force, at least against any risk, for fire and civil liability.
Everyone will be able to control
Under the legislation, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism will be able ex officio to check whether there is a license and registration in the register. But so does every Cypriot, the Deputy Minister of Tourism told "F". According to Savvas Perdios, those who advertise and will offer short-term rentals should have the relevant license in his posts. So it will also be easy for customers to recognize if someone is illegal and they will be able to report it to us who will make sure to remove the advertisement. So, in essence, the internet. but each customer individually. will strengthen the system for monitoring the implementation of the legislation, he concluded.
