Almost 700 people have applied for the small-scale building violations amnesty, interior ministry permanent secretary Elikkos Ilia said on Sunday, as the deadline for applications approaches.

The scheme was introduced on September 23 for a period of six months, so will expire on March 23.

So far 699 people have applied.

The applications are submitted to local district administrations (EOAs) and so far, 219 have been submitted in Nicosia, 215 in Limassol, 78 in Larnaca, 150 in Paphos and 37 in Famagusta.

Ilia said that eight of them concern violations in office developments, 616 in homes, 36 commercial developments, six industrial developments, three tourist buildings, three health facilities, one welfare project, two sports facilities, 13 leisure venues, four for agriculture and seven others.

He encouraged anyone who might be eligible to apply before the deadline expires “so they can obtain final approval and title deed”.

He said that through the plan, property owners are able to legalise building violations and secure final approval and title deed.

Irregularities covered include exceeding the building coefficient, covering verandas, too close to border.

“The legalisation of irregularities requires the payment of financial compensation,” he said. This money will then be funnelled into the government affordable housing programme.

“The philosophy of the plan is reciprocal to society and not tax collection,” he said.

The plan was drawn up in response to a large number of complaints that title deeds could not be secured because of small scale violations, and reflected “the government’s will to find ways to solve the problems faced by citizens in their daily lives”.

Thousands were expected to apply. Last week Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said the number who had made applications fell well short of expectations.