Cyprus is preparing to transfer responsibility for managing jointly owned buildings to District Local Government Organisations from 1 January 2029, though the legislation is still being drafted.
According to Cyprus Property News, owners of units in jointly owned buildings in Cyprus could see a major change in how their buildings are managed. District Local Government Organisations (DLGOs) are expected to take over responsibility from 1 January 2029. The reform aims to address persistent problems such as neglected common areas, maintenance disputes and buildings that may pose safety risks. The handover is not yet settled. The Interior Ministry and the DLGOs have agreed on the conditions for the organisations to assume the new duties, and MPs on the House Interior Committee welcomed the progress. Committee chairman Aristos Damianou said the final texts are expected to be prepared in the coming weeks while the Legal Service reviews constitutional questions; the committee plans to examine the bills article by article once they are submitted. The proposed transfer would follow a two-year transition period, provided the necessary conditions are agreed and put in place. MPs described the current system as outdated and hard to enforce. Management committees of jointly owned buildings can struggle to arrange repairs, and their lack of legal personality can make it harder to act when a building becomes dangerous or unstable. Lawmakers also raised the need for clear responsibilities, protection of owners' rights, practical government support for the DLGOs, and effective inspections and enforcement. One MP called for mandatory technical inspections, comparable to vehicle roadworthiness tests. Separately, the committee is examining dangerous buildings, and the responsible ministry has asked for until 29 October to take the necessary steps. Cyprus Property News stresses that the reform is still a proposal in progress, not a finished system. The outcome will depend on the final legislation, the resources given to the DLGOs and the practical arrangements made before the planned 2029 handover.