Filenews 29 March 2023 - by Adamos Adamou
Targeted changes to the legislation that obliges those who advertise properties on various online platforms, such as Airbnb, to register in the Register of Self-Service Accommodation of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism was approved by the Parliament, without, however, finally giving a new extension, which would effectively leave the law inactive for another year.
The changes, however, make it easier for all owners of premises, which they have available for short-term leases, to register in the relevant register. Even those who do not meet the requirements – for example they do not have a building permit or a planning permit – as a temporary permit will be offered under certain conditions, until they obtain the necessary documents.
Before the changes were passed, however, members of the House Trade Committee, which dealt extensively with the issue, recorded the need to regulate the issue, in order, among other things, to bring order to this sector, which was again accused of pushing up rent prices.
With the registration in the registry, it is expected in the near future to clarify the number of specific premises and thus the magnitude of the problem that many see caused in the real estate market in general but also the capacity of this industry that at least organized hotels do not see with a good eye as they consider that until now at least they compete with them unequally.
The changes
Specifically, as finally decided and expected to be published soon in the Official Gazette of the Republic as an amendment to the Regulation of the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation Law, for registration in the registry of the Deputy Ministry and for licensing, will the following apply:
Premises that do not have a separate electricity meter to provide the possibility of submitting to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism either a recent bill of the electricity supplier at the premises or a certificate from the local administration authority that the premises are a complete separate and independent unit, in accordance with the provisions of the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Law, together with a recent bill of the electricity supplier in the building,
For the registration in the register of premises which are not a residential villa, dwelling or residential apartment: a) to provide the possibility of submitting to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism within six months from the date of entry into force of the proposed law a copy of the application submitted for the purpose of changing the use of the premises, together with a copy of the proof of payment of the legal fee paid for the application for change of use, instead of a title deed, building permit or planning permission for residential use, b) in case of submission of an application for a change of use in accordance with the above, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to issue a temporary registration permit, which is valid until December 31, 2024, instead of three years, as provided for in the current legislation, c) the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, in case of submission before the title deed, a building permit or a planning permit for residential use of premises, to issue a registration permit, which is valid for three years from the date of issue of the temporary registration permit, while, in case of non-submission of one of the above documents by December 31, 2024, the temporary registration permit ceases to be valid and the premises are deleted from the register,
The period of validity of the renewal of the registration permit to be increased from three years to five.
