Expert raises alarm over deteriorating conditions
Serious concerns over building safety in Cyprus have been raised by Vasilis Artemiou, Secretary of the Jointly-Owned Building and Management Committee, who warned that only prevention and proper maintenance can avert further risks.
Speaking on the programme “Protoselido”, Artemiou stressed that repeated warnings in recent years had gone largely unheeded, cautioning that potential casualties were always a real possibility.
Ongoing issue, not isolated incidents
He underlined that the current situation is not an isolated case but the natural consequence of a long-standing problem.
“We have sounded the alarm many times,” he said, adding that the risks facing building safety in Cyprus had been highlighted publicly on several occasions.
Lack of legislation and oversight
According to Artemiou, the core issues lie in the absence of legislation, insufficient controls and lack of consequences for non-compliance.
He warned that unless authorities act immediately, the problem will persist and potentially worsen.
Particular emphasis was placed on the absence of mandatory management committees in apartment buildings, which would otherwise be legally responsible for maintenance and safety standards.
Delays in key legislation
Artemiou noted that a law regulating the management of jointly-owned buildings, submitted in 2023, remains pending.
Despite assurances that it would be passed urgently before the dissolution of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, the legislation has yet to be approved.
He also referred to proposed amendments to the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law, which aim to introduce a mandatory building inspection system, effectively an “MOT for buildings”, including certification of suitability.
However, he explained that such measures require enforceable obligations for property owners to pay communal expenses, something currently lacking.
Poor conditions in many buildings
Describing the situation on the ground, Artemiou said many shared spaces are in “tragic condition”, with buildings suffering from leaks, dampness and mould.
He highlighted cases where residents, particularly the elderly, struggle to cope with living conditions, even requiring oxygen support due to poor indoor environments.
Quality control concerns and ageing stock
Addressing perceptions about ageing buildings, he clarified that a 25-year-old structure is not inherently old, stressing that proper maintenance includes structural inspections by qualified engineers.
He also pointed to a lack of quality control in construction, noting the absence of a regulatory body to ensure compliance with standards. As a result, even newly built properties may present serious defects.
Many of today’s issues, he added, stem from the pre-financial crisis period, when mass construction took place without adequate oversight.
Call for regulation and public awareness
Artemiou called for stricter regulation of developers, including certification requirements, to prevent unqualified individuals from operating in the sector.
He also urged buyers to exercise caution, suggesting that investing in a structural study before purchasing property could prevent future problems.
Legal responsibility and safety risks
On liability, he explained that in the event of an accident, visitors may take legal action against a building’s management committee, or against all owners if no such committee exists.
He expressed particular concern over increasingly frequent incidents such as falling materials and partial structural collapses, including ceiling failures caused by water damage.
Urgent call to act
Concluding his remarks, Artemiou warned that lives are at risk and urged all responsible authorities to act without delay.
“Victims are not numbers – they are our parents, our children and our friends,” he said, calling for immediate action beyond political considerations to address building safety in Cyprus.
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