Limassol, Cyprus. Cyprus’ Property Developers Association said development licensing delays remain a major obstacle to addressing the country’s housing problem after a meeting with Limassol district governor Yiannis Tsouloftas. The group said faster permit approvals are essential to boost housing supply.
Meeting with district authorities
The association said the issue was discussed at a meeting held this week with Tsouloftas, attended by association president Yiannis Misirlis, members of its board, and general manager Mersina Isidorou.
Permitting process cited as bottleneck
During the discussion, the association raised what it described as persistent delays in the licensing process, saying that despite efforts to accelerate procedures, the problem continues. In some cases, it said the time required to obtain permits exceeds the time needed to construct a project.
Impact on housing supply and market responsiveness
Misirlis said delays are “one of the main factors that exacerbate the housing problem”, as they reduce the market’s ability to respond quickly to rising housing demand. He said “the acceleration of licensing is key to strengthening housing supply, supporting development activity and ensuring the smooth operation of the real estate market”.
Call for cooperation on solutions
Misirlis also pointed to the importance of dialogue and cooperation between the district self-government organisations (EOA) and sector professionals to address existing challenges and advance practical solutions for the sustainable development of all cities.
How do permitting delays affect your ability to find housing in Cyprus?
