Coronavirus: Limassol municipality offers 50% rent cut for pandemic-hit businesses

Limassol municipality announced on Monday it would cut rent by 50 per cent to businesses affected by the pandemic measures from last January to March.

The municipality announced that the municipal council approved rent reductions for businesses that were forced to suspend their operations due to the pandemic, based on the health minister’s decrees. This concerns the period from January until March 2021.

According to an announcement, it was decided to reduce rent for municipal property rented out to businesses. It said that the reduction in the rent will be calculated based on the days that each affected business had suspended its operations and will amount to 50 per cent of the period it was forced to remain closed based on the decrees. This applies as long as the affected business pays the reduced rent within 30 days of the date the reduction was approved.

A formula has also been calculated for food and beverage businesses that were offering take away and delivery services.

The municipality also said it would not charge businesses for the use of part of pavements and public squares to place their tables and seats for the period they were closed.

For the period when the affected businesses could operate and for as long as they will be obliged to have a sparse layout of their table seats, a 40 per cent reduction will be granted to the charge per square metre allocated for use (based on the agreement of the municipality with the business). Any temporary concession of additional space will also be charged with a 40 per cent reduction on the original agreement.

The municipality said that affected businesses must express interest by April 30. They must also present a confirmation by a registered accountant confirming the period the business was closed and its use up to the decree as well as confirmation by the social welfare services or other proof they had benefited from or requested special state aid during this period.

For more information interested businesses may call 77777788 or send an email at [email protected] .