Filenews 25 September 2023
The Ministry of Interior announces that in the context of rationalizing the management of Turkish Cypriot Properties, in relation to their concession or development, as well as enhancing transparency and meritocracy, the following results have been achieved, on the basis of measures taken following instructions from the Minister of Interior:
- Inspections on lease agreements of Turkish Cypriot properties that have been granted for professional use:
From the number of 540 inspections carried out from August until 15/09/2023, it was found that 58 cases are proven to violate the terms of the contract, while a number of 69 lease agreements need further investigation regarding their possession and use status. It is noted that the inspections of the Units continue, with the aim of checking another about 4,000 lease agreements for any illegal leases or illegal change of use of the leased property.
- Collection of arrears / accumulated debts from tenants to the Turkish Cypriot Property Fund:
The Turkish Cypriot Property Management Service, through the intensification of controls of lease agreements and their financial management, has promoted a series of measures for the collection of arrears / accumulated debts from tenants to the Turkish Cypriot Property Fund.
As a result of the efforts of the last six months, the Fund's revenues increased by approximately €600,000, while the total arrears decreased accordingly. Furthermore, a settlement was reached for the gradual repayment of an additional €1.5 million and lawsuits were filed for debts exceeding €600,000. Official and accurate results for the above will be ready during the first ten days of October.
- Design and introduction of a new computer system:
The design of the technical specifications of the new computerized system for the management of Turkish Cypriot Property has been completed. The proposal of the Ministry of Interior was positively received by the Deputy Ministry of Innovation and Development and the announcement of the relevant tender is expected later this year. The introduction of the new computerized system will make available to the Guardian, necessary and very important tools for the rationalization of their management.
- Revision of the legislation governing the management and concession of Turkish Cypriot property:
It is reminded that the completion of the legislative technical review by the Attorney General of the bill for the revision of the management and criteria for the concession of Turkish Cypriot properties is awaited. Upon completion of the legislative review, the amending bills will be submitted to the Council of Ministers and then to the Parliament.
- Restructuring, administrative and organizational changes in the Turkish Cypriot Property Service:
The Minister of Interior approved a series of administrative and organizational changes in the Administrative and Operational Model of Turkish Cypriot Property Management.
The changes include the reorganization and reinforcement of the staffing of the Turkish Cypriot Property Management Service, as well as the purchase of services from the private sector in areas such as cadastral work, auditing services, the standardization of procedures and the introduction of control and monitoring mechanisms of lease agreements, the introduction of defined levels of performance and the measurement of the effectiveness and quality of the produced work using performance indicators.
- Resolving complex and long-standing problematic cases:
Following instructions from the Minister of Interior, Action Plans have been drawn up for various problematic cases of Turkish Cypriot Property management, with the aim of resolving them. Indicatively, the case of the Plots in Mackenzie Beach is mentioned, where the successful implementation of the Action Plan of the Ministry of Interior will put an end to the illegal and uncontrolled development and activity in the area, will allow the payment of significant rents to the Turkish Cypriot Property Fund (approximately €1 million per year) and will strengthen the economic, business and tourist activity of the area.
The Ministry of Interior will continue to evaluate the progress of the implementation of the measures, taking additional actions where and where needed, in order to achieve the objectives for a more rational management of Turkish Cypriot properties.
