The Parliamentary Committee on Refugees decided to abolish the possibility of allocating Turkish Cypriot homes through bidding, a practice that in the past allowed them to be allocated as holiday homes.
The Committee on Tuesday discussed again the rationalization of the existing regulations governing the concession of Turkish Cypriot properties by the Trustee and their management by refugees, in order to enhance the transparency and integrity of their concession procedures, equality among refugees and their fairer distribution among refugees based on objective and measurable criteria.
As stated after the meeting by the Chairman of the Committee, AKEL MP, Nikos Kettiros, a key point is that from now on all Turkish Cypriot houses will be allocated exclusively for use as primary residences to displaced persons. As Mr. Kettiros clarified, this was a key position of the Committee, in order to ensure that the houses serve the purpose for which they are intended, namely the housing of displaced persons.
"With the recommendation of the Committee, the residences were removed from any bidding competitions, as provided for in the legislation brought by the government, meaning that no one will be entitled to put Turkish Cypriot residences up for bidding," he said.
He added that Turkish Cypriot homes will not be given away as vacation homes again.
Regarding residences that were granted in the past as vacation homes and there are contracts for them, he clarified that there are contracts for them and they cannot take them back, since such a thing would not be constitutional, while he can also renew his contract.
Review of unaffordable housing
The Commission is also working on a proposal that houses deemed unprofitable for repair (due to high costs of over 40.000 euros allocated by the Turkish Cypriot Property Service) can be claimed by displaced persons, provided that they cover the additional costs. Although there was an objection from the competent service that this creates “two-speed refugees”, Mr. Kettiros defended the proposal.
"We understand that it is inequality, but rather than him never getting a residence, let's give him the opportunity for €20-€25 thousand to enter a Turkish Cypriot residence," he said.
He added that the competent agency will study it and they will respond to them at the next meeting. He noted that the Committee will put forward a relevant amendment anyway, which seems to garner a majority of its members.
Rent reduction for small businesses
Regarding Turkish Cypriot business premises, he rejected the Management Service's proposal for mandatory rent payment at 75% of the market value, as devastating for small family businesses.
"We will not accept 75% – at least as AKEL – under any circumstances," said Mr. Kettiros, citing as an example craftsmen and small business owners who receive notices for a rent increase from 500 to 2.200 euros.
He added that they propose that the rent increase incrementally, without reaching 75%, and that there be exceptions for large businesses and companies that exploit real estate, so that the state can secure revenue from the sought-after areas ("fillets") but at the same time support small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Kettiros expressed optimism that the next session on Tuesday, which will be long, will result in a conclusion, so that the amendment to the relevant regulations can be brought to a vote before the closing of the Plenary.
Source: KYPE
