1. What is the main law governing building management in Cyprus? The main law is the Cyprus Immovable Property (Possession, Registration, and Valuation) Law, Cap. 224. It includes provisions for horizontal property and how jointly owned buildings are managed.
2. Who is responsible for managing jointly owned properties? The Management Committee is in charge of the regulation and administration of jointly owned properties. It acts on behalf of all owners, enforcing regulations, convening General Meetings, and overseeing common expenses.
3. What are the basic responsibilities of the Management Committee? Their key duties include maintaining and repairing common areas, arranging insurance for the building, collecting common expenses, and overseeing administrative tasks such as hiring cleaning crews or technical contractors.
4. Can individual unit owners make changes to their units? Yes, as long as those changes do not infringe on other owners’ rights, do not alter the building’s external appearance, and do not compromise the structural integrity or stability of the jointly owned building.
5. How is insurance arranged for jointly owned properties? The Management Committee must at least secure insurance coverage against fire, earthquake, and lightning as required by law. Additional optional covers (such as water leakage, malicious damage, etc.) can be decided by the General Meeting.
6. What happens if a property sustains damage? Each owner must promptly repair any damage in their unit to avoid affecting the safety or use of the building. If damage occurs in a common area, the Management Committee uses the insurance proceeds (or common funds) to fix it.
7. Are there voting rights for unit owners? Yes, owners vote in the General Meeting on matters concerning the building’s administration. The number of votes or percentage weight is typically based on each unit’s share in the jointly owned property.
8. What if owners disagree among themselves? Disputes are usually resolved through decisions at the General Meeting or by following the approved Regulations. If no resolution is found, disagreements can be referred to court for a final ruling.
9. Can jointly owned properties be sold? Selling joint ownership of the property requires unanimous consent of all unit owners. Any disposal of a portion of the jointly owned property (for example, a share in the garden or parking area) follows legal procedures and full agreement.
10. How often should General Meetings be held? At least once a year for the annual General Meeting, where financial and administrative matters are reviewed. Extraordinary meetings can be convened if requested by the Management Committee or by a specified percentage of owners, typically for urgent or important issues.
11. What is considered “jointly owned property”? Any part of the building not belonging to an individual unit, such as staircases, elevators, corridors, foundations, exterior walls, roof, and central installations. All owners hold a share in these common areas.
12. What is the role of the Standard Regulations? If no specific Regulations are drafted and registered in the Land Registry, the Standard Regulations set out in the law apply, covering how a jointly owned building should be run and defining owners’ rights and obligations.
13. How is the failure to pay common expenses handled? All owners are legally required to pay their share of the common expenses. If someone fails to do so, the Management Committee may take legal steps or impose penalties as provided by the Regulations.
14. How are common expenses allocated among owners? Usually based on each unit’s area or other criteria stated in the Regulations. Larger units generally pay a larger portion of the costs for maintenance and shared services.
15. Is it allowed to insure a single unit separately? Yes, an owner may insure the interior of their own unit. However, this does not negate the mandatory group insurance required by law, arranged by the Management Committee for the entire building.
16. What happens in the case of partial destruction of the building? If a common area is damaged, the Management Committee must use the building’s insurance policy to repair it. For damage within private units, each owner handles their own repairs without jeopardizing the safety or function of the jointly owned property.
17. Is specialized assistance needed for managing apartment buildings? Often yes, especially when multiple units, varied opinions, or complex tasks are involved. A professional approach simplifies administrative details, financial record-keeping, and ensures compliance with legal obligations.
18. Is there a time limit for implementing General Meeting decisions? Decisions are generally effective as soon as they are made at the meeting. If there is no quorum, the meeting is rescheduled, and then the resolutions approved by the attending owners are valid.
19. What if someone wants to install, for example, an air conditioner in a common area? They must obtain prior approval from the Management Committee or follow the procedures defined in the Regulations, ensuring they do not alter the building’s facade or obstruct others from using the common space.
20. What if there is no Management Committee or it does not function? The law allows the Land Registry to appoint a temporary Management Committee if owners fail to form one on time. This ensures the jointly owned building does not remain unmanaged and basic obligations such as insurance and maintenance are met.