By Yannis Misirlis

• President of the Real Estate Development Association

The recent collapse of balconies at an apartment building in Limassol unfortunately brings us face to face once again with a problem that has remained unresolved for years.

This incident comes just a few months after the tragic collapse of a building, also in Limassol, which claimed the lives of two of our fellow citizens, as well as the evacuations of apartment buildings that followed in various areas of Cyprus. These events have highlighted in the clearest possible way the serious shortcomings that continue to exist in the management and maintenance of multi-unit residential buildings.

These events can no longer be treated as isolated incidents. Rather, they are warning signs of a long-standing problem affecting thousands of multi-unit buildings constructed decades ago that now require increasing maintenance and restoration.

For months now, the Real Estate Development Association has been highlighting, through its articles, the need for the new House of Representatives to make it an immediate priority to pass the “Law of 2023 on the Management of Common-Ownership Buildings and Related Matters,” without further delay.

Unfortunately, ongoing developments confirm that there is no longer any room for postponements. Taking decisive action is the only way forward. Because every new collapse reminds us that the safety of citizens cannot be left to chance. The government must act now, before we are faced with new accidents or even more loss of life.

Gaps and Shortcomings

For years now, the current legal framework has failed to meet the actual needs of managing multi-unit buildings. The difficulty in collecting common-area fees, the lack of effective oversight and control mechanisms, as well as weaknesses in the functioning of management committees, have created an environment in which the necessary maintenance of many buildings is delayed or, in many cases, is rendered practically impossible.

The result is the gradual deterioration of the building stock, rising restoration costs, and, most importantly, the creation of serious risks to the safety of tenants, owners, and citizens.

The Need for a Modern Framework

Addressing this problem cannot be limited to piecemeal interventions. It requires a modern, comprehensive, and functional institutional framework that will ensure three basic conditions: clear responsibilities, effective management, and regular maintenance of jointly owned buildings.

The Real Estate Development Association has repeatedly emphasized the need for the immediate promotion and enactment of the “Law of 2023 on the Management of Commonly Owned Buildings and Related Matters,” which aims to modernize the existing framework and provide substantive solutions to long-standing problems.

At the same time, we consider it essential to establish an independent supervisory authority that will ensure transparency, compliance with the law, and effective oversight of the operation of jointly owned buildings.

Equally important is the establishment of uniform operating regulations to ensure that common management procedures are applied across all jointly owned developments, as well as the strengthening of the powers of the Management Committees, so that they can make the necessary decisions in a timely manner and proceed with the required maintenance work without undue delays.

At the same time, the creation of mandatory reserve funds is a key prerequisite for covering emergency or major maintenance expenses, ensuring that necessary interventions are not postponed due to a lack of financial resources.

Finally, the establishment of mandatory periodic building suitability inspections is necessary, so that structural integrity issues or damage that could endanger public safety can be identified in a timely manner.

Let’s not take any more chances

The safety of multi-unit buildings cannot be based on good will or luck. It requires a modern institutional framework that emphasizes prevention, strengthens accountability, and effectively protects citizens’ lives and property.

Reforming the framework for managing multi-unit buildings is now a matter of public safety and must proceed without further delay.

Because prevention is not a choice. It is a responsibility. And that responsibility falls on all of us.