Cyprus interior ministry and local government discuss dangerous building regulations

The Cypriot Ministry of Interior and Provincial Self-Government Organizations (EOA) are debating a legislative proposal intended to manage dangerous buildings and improve public safety. Minister Constantinos Ioannou has presented a revised draft to the Parliamentary Interior Committee, emphasizing that the primary responsibility for building maintenance lies with private owners. The ministry maintains that state financial intervention should only occur after all enforcement tools against owners have been exhausted, rejecting the implementation of permanent funding mechanisms for the EOA.

Disagreements persist regarding the necessary financial and administrative support for local authorities to handle these new responsibilities effectively. While the Ministry of Interior proposes a separate legal framework for mandatory periodic inspections—starting with high-traffic public buildings—members of parliament have urged the state to ensure the EOA is sufficiently equipped. DISY MP Nikoleta Constantinou stated that the Parliament is willing to allow time for these differences to be resolved, prioritizing public safety while ensuring that the EOA can fulfill its mandate. The discussion on the 2026 amending law is ongoing as authorities seek to balance private liability with collective safety measures.