Cyprus valuers press for faster permits and building safety checks
The Cyprus Association of Real Estate Valuation Scientists wants quicker permit decisions, access to official property data and periodic structural inspections to support housing supply.
Cyprus property valuers are pushing for speedier building permit decisions and formal access to official planning and building records, as reported by Cyprus Mail. The Cyprus Association of Real Estate Valuation Scientists, part of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), set out the position at its annual general meeting and professional development seminar, which drew over 100 members and representatives of institutional bodies.
Association president Polys Kourousides said progress has been made on accelerating planning and building permit procedures, thanking the Interior Ministry and district local government organisations for their efforts. Still, he argued that further simplification and digitalisation, plus swift and predictable permit approvals, are needed to unlock development, draw investment and expand housing supply.
The association also renewed its call for periodic technical inspections of buildings, likening the proposed system to an MOT test, and said management committees in jointly owned buildings need stronger powers to collect unpaid contributions and carry out essential maintenance. It wants licensed valuers to gain formal access to district local government organisations' data, with personal data safeguards, to improve valuation accuracy.
"Access to reliable and up-to-date information will strengthen the accuracy, transparency and documentation of valuations, for the benefit of citizens, financial institutions and the property market," Kourousides said.
What it means for residents
The push touches practical matters for anyone renting, buying, selling or living in a shared building on the island. Faster permits could mean quicker delivery of new homes and renovation projects, while extra data access is meant to reduce surprises when a property is valued for a mortgage or sale. Building inspections aim to catch dangerous structures before they become a risk.
- Owners and buyers: expect valuations to lean on more official records, so keeping title deeds, permits and building plans in order becomes more useful.
- Apartment residents: stronger management committees could make it easier to chase unpaid maintenance fees and organise repairs.
- Renters and first-time buyers: more housing supply is the goal, but permit reform takes time, so price pressure is unlikely to ease immediately.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
