By Marinos Kynaigiros
- President of the Real Estate Agents Registration Council
We are monitoring the situation regarding abandoned and dangerous buildings with great concern and anxiety. The problem primarily concerns public safety and, secondarily, the aesthetic degradation—or, if you prefer, the visual pollution—in cities and villages.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
In mythology, Prometheus is the one who thinks before acting, while Epimetheus realizes his mistake only after the damage has been done. On such an important issue, we cannot afford to act like Epimetheus. We must plan ahead and take preventive measures to protect society before disaster strikes, rather than searching for solutions and assigning blame after the fact, when it is already too late, as happened in the case of the building collapse in Limassol, where lives were lost.
Based on our many years of experience in the real estate market, we have identified three main categories of hazardous buildings, each with its own set of problems.
Abandoned Buildings
The first category consists of abandoned private buildings that are not being utilized by their owners. These are properties left to deteriorate over time because their owners delay deciding whether to put them to use, sell them, or rebuild them. The most concerning issue is the lack of effective oversight. The intervention of the relevant authorities is often limited to posting a sign that reads “Dangerous Building.” But a sign does not prevent a collapse or protect passersby. These are buildings located even in central areas of cities frequented by locals and tourists, or in communities with high tourist traffic. We make special mention of tourists, as it is rare for someone vacationing in a foreign country to be aware of or notice signs warning of dangerous buildings.
Dangerous Occupied Buildings
The second category consists of dangerous private buildings that remain occupied. This is perhaps the most serious aspect of the problem. We are referring to buildings with obvious structural or other problems, which their owners refuse or neglect to maintain and repair, while continuing to rent them out and collect rent as usual. There are even cases of apartments in dangerous buildings that are offered for short-term rental to tourists. Tolerating this practice amounts to exposing human lives to immediate danger in the name of profit.
Listed Buildings
Another category consists of historic buildings that are trapped in red tape and left to stand until they collapse. Cyprus possesses a valuable architectural heritage that is in danger of being lost forever. Even when there are owners or investors with the means and the will to restore these buildings, they face labyrinthine and time-consuming procedures for obtaining permits from the Department of Antiquities and the Conservation Branch of the Department of Town Planning and Housing. As a result, many listed buildings are falling into disrepair before the review of applications is completed. At the same time, the financial incentives for their restoration are insufficient to move the work forward.
Risk Hinder Development
Safety is the primary factor, but there is also an economic dimension. Dilapidated and abandoned buildings deprive the market of a significant housing stock that could provide shelter during a difficult period when housing is a major concern for society.
At the same time, they dramatically degrade the image of cities and neighborhoods. This image of decline drives down the value of neighboring, well-maintained properties and deters investors, buyers, and renters. Cities need vitality and growth, but dangerous buildings stand in the way.
People and their safety must always be the primary concern. Property ownership entails rights, but also obligations. It is unacceptable to abandon properties at the expense of the safety of society as a whole.
The state and local authorities must assume their responsibilities, going beyond merely documenting the problem. As real estate professionals, we will always stand alongside those who take proactive, immediate, and decisive action to protect people, our urban environment, and property values—ideally, before we are called upon to manage new tragedies.
