The chairman of the apartment complex management committee, Marios Fotiou, who even mentions a gang of foreigners illegally stealing electricity and water.
The apartment building in question has been deemed unsafe, and the relevant departments of the EOA have posted warning signs due to the building’s hazardous condition. According to what Mr. Fotiou stated on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, all owners have received a letter from the EOA, and, in cooperation with the Agency, the relevant authorities immediately proceeded to appoint a civil engineer and conduct laboratory tests on samples from beams and columns, in order to determine whether there is a structural integrity issue and whether the building should be demolished or can remain standing.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
At the same time, according to him, safety measures were taken, such as the installation of railings, to protect tenants and passersby from any falling plaster. However, as he noted, the management committee is facing yet another serious problem.
Mr. Fotiou alleged that a group of foreigners reportedly owns approximately 30 apartments, which they rent out, while, as he claimed, they do not allow the rightful owners—who hold the title deeds—to use them.
At the same time, he mentioned illegal electricity and water connections, which, he said, also pose a serious safety issue due to the exposed wiring.
“The state authorities must help us dismantle this dangerous cycle, which creates enormous problems for those who live here,” he stated emphatically.
Regarding electricity, Mr. Fotiou noted that connections are made directly from the meters, while for water, as he explained, there are both direct connections and connections from apartment to apartment, with cables and pipes running through outdoor areas and rooftops.
According to the complaint, the connections are made at distances of 20, 30, or even 40 meters, bypassing the meters. The Chair of the Management Committee reported that some owners have been faced with exorbitant bills, with notable examples including a studio apartment charged €700, while in other apartments the bills reached €1,000.
In fact, as he argued, on one bill showing 80 metric tons of water consumption, an additional 50 metric tons appeared as a meter discrepancy.
“In other words, about 60% of water consumption is stolen,” he said, adding that there is information regarding the illegal trade in electricity and water supply.
They were disconnecting the illegal connections and then reconnecting them
Mr. Fotiou also described a series of incidents that, as he said, occurred last week. As he reported, on Monday the management committee formed crews to dismantle the illegal network.
That same evening, according to the complaint, a group of 4–5 foreigners climbed onto the rooftops and reconnected the network, while he himself received a threatening call from a blocked number.
On Tuesday, he said, the illegal connections were dismantled again, but that same evening the cables were reconnected.
On Wednesday, for the third consecutive day, the management committee proceeded to remove the connections again, with Mr. Fotiou reporting that that same evening there were shouts, screams, and attempts to intimidate the tenants that same night.
He reported that he received two threatening phone calls, one of which, he claimed, was from the group’s “leader.” Finally, he complained that, despite the fact that complaints have been filed for years, the police, according to what he was told, “can’t do anything” and have not made any arrests.
President of the Larnaca EOA: “An investigation by the police is needed”
The President of the Larnaca EOA, Marios Fotiou, was emphasized by the President of the Larnaca EOA, Angelos Hatzicharalambous.
Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, Mr. Hatzicharalambous stated that the allegations regarding theft, illegal use of electricity and water, and illegal connections, should be investigated by the competent authority, which is the Police.
“The matters raised by Mr. Fotiou require investigation by the Cyprus Police,” he said, emphasizing that the owners should immediately file the relevant complaints so that the investigation can begin. At the same time, the EOA President noted that, as a management committee, the owners can take measures to restrict access to common areas.
“As a management committee, you can lock any access points to the rooftop,” he specifically stated.
Mr. Hatzicharalambous stated that he is in frequent contact with the owners and the Management Committee, as the EOA is working with them to resolve the issue, which falls within its jurisdiction. As he explained, the EOA’s jurisdiction pertains to eliminating the safety hazard posed by the building, while the relevant authorities must intervene regarding the remaining issues.
“Beyond that, I cannot intervene,” he said, emphasizing that the situation at this particular complex requires significant action from all relevant agencies. “Everyone, based on their respective responsibilities, must take their own actions so that this entire situation can be resolved,” he noted.
The engineer’s report is expected
Regarding the building’s safety, the President of the Larnaca EOA stated that the report from the Management Committee’s consulting engineer is expected in the coming days.
As he explained, the report will clarify whether the building needs to be evacuated or whether it is structurally sound.
“We are expecting the report from the Management Committee’s consulting engineer in the coming days, which will clarify whether we need to proceed with evacuating the building or whether the building is structurally sound,”he said.
