Squatters Cyprus law

5POSTS

4 years ago

Hello,

I've rented an apartment in Cyprus. But I'm afraid to go on vacation and find a surprise when I come back.

Does the law in Cyprus protect squatters?

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Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

4 years ago

What makes you think you will get squatters in your apartment when you are away

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David21321421 New member

5POSTS

4 years ago

Because I'm from Spain. And the law in Spain protects squatters, it's almost impossible to kick them out once they are inside.

That's why I wanna know how the laws are in Cyprus. Because If I get squatters I'll have a problem with the owner of the apartment and maybe I'll have to pay the rent and pay the trials and everything in the court to kick them out. It could take months.

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Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

4 years ago

I don鈥檛 think there is anything such as squatters rights here and if you were unlucky to get them notify the police and the owners immediately.... I鈥檝e been here 7 years and never heard of anyone getting them but that鈥檚 not to say it doesn鈥檛 happen

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theresa1028 New member

4POSTS

4 years ago

If you have a contract and you鈥檙e a good payer i don鈥檛 think they will kick you out.

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David21321421 New member

5POSTS

4 years ago

The problem is not me. That problem is that someone gets inside my apartment while I'm outside. How can I kick them out?

Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

4 years ago

You call the police and the owners

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theresa1028 New member

4POSTS

4 years ago

As long as you have contract and up to date payment of rent, You can call a police and sue the owner.

Sani_1 New member

3POSTS

4 years ago

I am assuming that squatting in the residential properties is against the law. To enter your flat they would have to break in which is the police matter. I would notify the owner that you are away and ask to keep an eye, also explaining that you are concerned about squatters. I am not sure how it is in Spain and how squatters gain access to residential premises without breaking in, which would be illegal.

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Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

4 years ago

#10

It is a reasonable concern that am sure you are not alone in feeling as its a very real issue in these days of covid , unemployment money being short families to home and feed etc BUT we cannot let ourselves be limited by these feelings/concerns聽 - these incidents are聽 probably in a small minority.. Let your landlord know of your absences and neighbours too if you feel safe in doing so maybe they can keep an eye open and watch for any unusual activity.

In all honesty I think people may be more at risk of landlords defaulting on their mortgage payments and risking being repossessed whilst taking the rent payments than squatters.

Its one of the things most renters fail to ask a potential landlord聽 - "do they own the property and have the right to rent it out and can they prove that to you before entering in to a contract?"聽 as most assume that they are the owners or are acting on behalf of the owners and thus dont ask

good luck

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SimCityAT Expert

13762POSTS

4 years ago

#11

Buy some timer switches that switch lights on at different times.

Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

4 years ago

#12

Similarly for a radio聽 and maybe some solar powered security lights they鈥檙e not expensive and easy to fit

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baxi2775 Member

19POSTS

4 years ago

#13

@David21321421聽 you might be right , i have heard of one case which has gone on for approx. 7 years ,聽 & there is a apartment next to mine which has been empty for 7 years over a legal聽 case ? .

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Im2hitec4u Member

23POSTS

2 years ago

#14

I recently inherited some property in North Cyprus.聽 There is a squatter living there rent free.聽 I cannot even get a insurance inspector to go to the home to get it insured against any damages.聽

How is this fair?聽 I know someone is entitled to housing.聽 But not for free and on a home owners dime.聽 This is a ridiculous law.聽 Who are the law makers?

Are there any quick routes to getting someone out other than the courts?

Or maybe we should just stop investing in North Cyprus?

phildraper Serial expat

577POSTS

2 years ago

#15

Unfortunately that is the way of the world it seems. Did you ask them to leave? Have you taken legal advice? Given the laws and enforcement are poles apart it will probably take time. Might be worth enlisting the help of the local mukhtar.

Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

2 years ago

#16

There is no easy and quick way to get rid ...but far be it for me to condone such actions but some people offer to pay a few bob to a local villain to sort it out ..

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MyCandyGirl Member

14POSTS

2 years ago

#17

@Toon You should not be advising people to employ criminals, and in doing so you make yourself part of a criminal conspiracy to acts of violence聽 ... not what I expected from this site ...

SimCityAT Expert

13762POSTS

2 years ago

#18

@Toon You should not be advising people to employ criminals, and in doing so you make yourself part of a criminal conspiracy to acts of violence ... not what I expected from this site ...
-@MyCandyGirl

Maybe read what he said AGAIN!!

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Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

2 years ago

#19

@MyCandyGirl I made it quite clear I don't condone such actions.. and it's not advice merely an observation as to what some people do

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Im2hitec4u Member

23POSTS

2 years ago

#20

@phildraper 1.聽 My mother asked him to leave over a year ago.

I asked him three months ago.
Lawyer put the eviction notice on his door.
Lawyer met with him and asked him to leave.聽 He refused.
Now I am in the process of getting all my documentation in order now that I own the house to go to court.

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baxi2775 Member

19POSTS

2 years ago

#21

i had the same problem with my fathers house in the uk , i told the people they had 14 days to leave or i would be moving back in with my mates myself ? - they left .

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Toon Cyprus Expert

10235POSTS

last year

#22

In Cyprus, squatters do have some limited rights, but they are not the same as full property ownership or legal tenancy. Cyprus follows a legal framework that includes provisions for squatters, particularly concerning adverse possession, which allows someone to claim ownership of a property after continuously occupying it for a certain period of time, usually without permission.

For a squatter to claim ownership through adverse possession in Cyprus, they must meet specific conditions, such as:

Continuous Possession: They must have lived on the property uninterrupted for a period of at least 10 years (in the case of immovable property under Cyprus law).

Exclusive Possession: The squatter must treat the property as their own and must have exclusive use of it.

Open and Notorious Use: The squatter鈥檚 occupation must be obvious to others, including the actual owner.

Without Permission: The squatter must be occupying the property without the consent of the owner.

However, this process is complicated and requires legal proceedings to claim ownership. Simply occupying a property does not automatically give squatters the right to remain there indefinitely. Property owners can take legal action to remove squatters, although they may have to go through a lengthy process in court to evict them.

If you are dealing with a squatter situation in Cyprus, it is advisable to consult with a local legal expert to understand the nuances of property rights and adverse possession laws in detail

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