Nicosia municipality warns owners of dangerous buildings

Owners of dangerous buildings must repair them or face a fine, Nicosia municipality warned on Wednesday.

In an announcement, the municipality referred to three buildings located in the neighbourhoods of Kaimakli and Ayioi Omoloyites and on Onasagorou street in Nicosia within the walls which were previously deemed dangerous by the municipality’s Technical Service.

According to relevant legislation the owners are obligated to repair them or at least make arrangements for support work to keep them from collapsing.

“Otherwise, the municipality has the authority to enter the building and take all measures necessary to remove risk and/or impose a fine of up to €20,000, and/or take the case to court,” the statement said.

Uninhabited old buildings, some of them listed, have been abandoned to the elements, making them dangerous and in a few cases, buildings have collapsed.

Nicosia municipality points out that owners must repair them, but has in the past said that its efforts are hampered by protracted legal procedures and uncooperative owners.

The issue of dangerous old structures was also highlighted in connection with the attempted demolition of three listed buildings in old Nicosia earlier this year.

Within the boundaries of the municipality of Nicosia there are a total of 1,200 listed buildings, with approximately 850 located within the walls.

At the moment, 153 structures deemed dangerous are listed on the municipality’s website, out of which 14 are dilapidated.