Set Up of Management Committee

[nlp]

We live in a close of 18 detached villas, no sign of title deeds. We have all had a letter from Soteira Municipality saying we must set up a Management Committee forthwith to comply with the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration & Valuation) Law (Cap.224) or else. Whilst the developer should be responsible for the emptying of the sewage tank, they don't so we have taken this on board although a pain trying to get money out of some who won't pay towards the cost of emptying & cleaning the system.
1. Can they insist on us setting up such a committee?
2. If so how do we go about it, costs for any legal charges will fall on those who pay already so will be met with resistance.
3. What will their threats produce if we fail to get together a committee?
4. Can we block off those who don't pay or get involved in the committee?

Many thanks

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi nlp,

If you live in apartment or any other type of complex with shared facilities (such as sewage tank, swimming pool, etc.) the law requires that you have a management committee to look after the insurance, maintenance, repair etc. of the common parts. Each owner/purchaser is required to contribute towards the cost of insurance, etc. based on the area of their unit.

You can find further information in section 2.8 of the Department of Lands and Surveys Citizens Charter - a copy of which you can find at http://cdn.cyprus-property-buyers.com/w ... harter.pdf

And information on how to go about setting up a management committee can be found in the English translation of the law at http://www.cyprus-property-buyers.com/f ... gs-law.pdf

An article on the subject, written by Louise Zambartas, can be found at http://www.news.cyprus-property-buyers. ... /id=003397

Regards,

[nlp]

Thanks for the reply Nigel, we live in detached villas with our own pools etc ,the only shared item would be the sewage tank, which I could understand the need for a committee but the developer is responsible in theory for the system until we get our deeds. Although in practice its to much hassle to try to get the developer to do anything so in the main we arrange things amongst our selves.

If we don't set up a committee what will happen? Will it be a court case in 5 years then kicked down the road again & again?

Thanks again

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi nlp,

Even though the villas are detached with private pools, there is still a possibility that the development has been registered as jointly owned (although the only item may be the sewage tank).

The only way I think you can find out for sure is to check with the Land Registry - and the developer should be able to advise you as well. And if it is jointly owned you will need to set up a committee to insure, maintain, repair, restore and manage the jointly owned parts. (This will give you extra clout to get the money from those reluctant to pay for the sewage tank.)

Regards,