Filenews 31 August 2025 - by Kyriakos Angelidis
On the occasion of the debate on the bill prepared by the Commissioner for Legislation entitled "The 2023 Law on the Management of Common-Owned Buildings and Related Matters" and which was discussed in the Parliamentary Committee on the Interior, there is a delay in the continuation and completion of the debate, on a bill that concerns thousands of our fellow citizens who currently live in apartment buildings.
At a time when the number of publicly owned buildings in the Republic of Cyprus is currently reaching 70,000 with over 200,000 units, it is estimated that a new legislation will regulate their smooth operation, supervising their registration and management both at an administrative and legal level.
The Cyprus Association of Common-Owned Building Managers (SYDIKOIK), an affiliated member of OEB, has elaborated and evaluated the proposed bill, which it considers a good basis for discussion on the regulation of the framework for the management of apartment buildings. Some of the Association's suggestions on the provisions of the bill concern:
A. The determination of the method of calculating the proportion of the share of each main unit.
B. The determination of the amount of the fine that may be imposed by the Management Committees on those who do not pay public utilities on a regular basis.
C. Creation of a capital expenditure fund in which all unit owners will participate with a minimum payment of 15% of the budget of common expenses, and
D. Creation of a reserve fund equal to the budget of six months of common expenses.
In addition to the above, the SYDIKOIK, in its memorandum to the Parliamentary Committee, recommends, among other things, that the position be adopted whereby "a community-owned building should be considered to be inhabited from the day the electricity is connected to the common meter and if the unit has not been inhabited, the owner should be responsible for it", as well as that representatives of the management companies of publicly owned buildings have the right to participate in Management Committees.
Computerization/digitalization is another important parameter since the government Service/Department that will undertake the implementation of the new legislation, will have to receive and evaluate electronically all applications for registration in the register of Management Committees. With the computerization/digitalization of the procedures, along with the assurance of extensive responsibilities and powers for the Management Committees, it is estimated that there will be a positive footprint and desired results.
In conclusion, it could be said that the legal regulation for the management of publicly owned buildings will help to upgrade the quality of life and living of our fellow citizens living in apartment buildings, which will be methodically maintained without observing unacceptable phenomena, such as the collapse of balconies of old apartment buildings due to erosion and non-maintenance.
Through the passage of the new legislation, it is expected that there will be stricter measures against owners who do not pay their utility bills, effective and immediate collection of utility bills, and direct access to government data for updating owners' data. Whether it remains in the Land Registry, or ends up in EDA or other Departments of the Public Sector, it is important to implement the correct and immediate implementation of a correct but also problem-free law.
*Coordinator of Business Associations of OEB,
