Nicosia, Cyprus. More than 1,400 buildings in Nicosia, including 161 in the old town, are currently deemed dangerous, according to the Nicosia district self-government organisation (EOA) and the city’s municipality. The list is being updated as inspections continue.
Ongoing inspections by neighbourhood
An EOA officer responsible for dangerous buildings said the final number would be determined next week. Officer Christodoulou said new buildings have been found in need of repair and others have been removed from the list after being restored.
Inspections are being conducted by neighbourhood. Omeriye, Ayios Kassianos and Ayios Ioannis have been completed, with Faneromeni, Ayios Savvas, Tabakhane, Ayios Antonios, Ayios Andreas and Tahtakale scheduled to be checked next.
Process for declaring buildings dangerous
Christodoulou said buildings are first inspected, and if found to be dangerous, Etek prepares a report. The general directorate for development may then declare the building dangerous, after which the owner is given three days to appoint a civil engineer to determine necessary works.
If the owner does not respond or cannot afford repairs, the EOA intervenes. In cases of non-response, the owner is fined. Christodoulou said demolition is used as a last resort.
Case totals and status breakdown
There are 1,624 open cases in Nicosia, including 638 in the Nicosia municipality, 117 in Strovolos, 20 in Aglandja, three in Lakatamia-Tseri and 688 in rural areas. The remaining 158 are new cases.
Christodoulou said 268 buildings, or 16.6 per cent, have been declared dangerous, and administrative procedures are in motion for 95 dangerous buildings, or 5.9 per cent. He added that 138 cases, or 8.6 per cent, are being evaluated by external experts, 140, or 8.7 per cent, are being evaluated by the Nicosia EOA, and 875, or 54 per cent, are awaiting confirmation.
“In total, the Nicosia EOA is managing 1,466 dangerous buildings,” he said.
What steps should property owners take if their building is flagged as potentially dangerous?
