Cyprus Property Forum for Buyers, Sellers & Investors

Hi -

I am the owner (with title deeds) of a top floor apartment and this morning woke up to large cranes and noise. I hoped that when I saw solar panels they were going to go on one of the roof gardens of the penthouses. There are three penthouses with private roof gardens and we have a communal roof area where every apartment in the building (12 apartments in total) have two solar panels placed for the water heater and a water tank.

They have installed these two large solar panels on top of the lift housing on the roof and they have also began installing them on a raised section of the roof which houses the communal stairs below. This section has an adjoining wall to my roof garden (the only adjoining wall) and directly overlooks my roof garden and the view and image of my roof garden will be affected by these large solars panels.

It's my understanding that the roof is communal and nobody can make any alterations unless permission is sought by the planning department but also the other owners. Apart from the fact that whoever has installed the panels above the lift area is taking up space from the others if they wanted to install something and it all needs to be agreed, the issue is the solar panels on the section next to my roof garden ruining the aesthetics and who is to say somebody might of wanted to use that area (hypothetically speaking).

I am trying to find out who it is, but I hope it's not the developer who kept two apartments in the building. He developed the building but then sold 10 apartments and kept two for himself, but still seems to think he is the boss of the building. I am hoping it's not him.

Advice please.

Turns out it was the developer/owner of an apartment however he said it was a mistake and they should have installed them on-top of his pergola on his roof garden. He did mention however since the metal bars are now installed, would we as a building like to keep them and add the panels in these locations and the electricity company will use the energy and rent the space for 400e a year.

Hi GSPORT

Your developer should move the solar panels.

According to the law, owners cannot make any changes that affect its external appearance of the jointly-owned property.

I guess if everyone agrees, your Management Committee cold allow him to keep the panels on the communal roof. But he should get the contractors back to put them in the correct position and repair any damage.

Regards,

Thanks Nigel,

Yes they've already taken them down and put them on top of his private roof garden pergola, they definitely affect the external appearance somewhat but I'm not bothered and okay with it because it doesn't overlook or affect my property, however we have also been thinking of ideas to cover out metal pergola and flat solar panels would do a good job of providing shade whilst saving money, however they didn't install them flat on the developers pergola, they put them slanted on raised metal bars so it doesn't look nice but that's his issue.

Thanks for your help!