The conversion of ground-floor spaces into makeshift accommodations has raised concerns.
This phenomenon is pervasive across the island, driven either by a lack of housing or by individuals securing rentals. Businesses are transformed into living spaces, leading to significant challenges.
The resulting problems in some areas pose risks to human lives, with unknown numbers of residents living under uncertain conditions.
A similar issue is reported in a residential complex near Eneerios in Limassol, where interventions in the buildings are numerous and without official intervention.
Recent and longstanding alleged illegalities, interventions in buildings, and lurking dangers have been reported to the Limassol Municipality by the management committee of the residential complex.
Despite written and verbal notifications to the mayor and municipal engineer, no action has been taken, leading to uncontrolled escalation of the situation.
The residential complex, situated in the Eneerios area, reflects broader issues found throughout Cyprus. For an extended period, an unacceptable and potentially dangerous situation has been evolving, with numerous illegal and makeshift conversions of shop spaces into living areas, primarily for renting.
Illegal extensions of roofs, conversions of sidewalks and common areas of apartment buildings into makeshift rented rooms, and unauthorized openings in walls, stairwells, and external walls to create entrances/exits to storage spaces have also been observed.
This creates potential static risks in the buildings.
Reports indicate the presence of makeshift rooms with substandard, flammable, and hazardous materials located next to large gas cylinders, posing a risk of poisoning from barbecue fumes passing through these areas.
Uncontrolled and makeshift extensions of electrical installations and plumbing systems, the creation of hygiene spaces without proper drainage, and water leaks causing water loss and damage as well as humidity in buildings have also been observed.
Residents and the management committee highlight the creation of rooms with unauthorized height, lacking windows and safety exits, in complete disregard of construction permits and urban planning regulations.
The dangerous situation further extends to fire safety, where the Fire Department may have restricted access in case of a fire, endangering residents in makeshift accommodations.
These concerns have been repeatedly reported to the Limassol Municipality through written reports, photographs, and file submissions
However, the municipality has yet to respond, resulting in hazardous living conditions for those residing in these inadequate accommodations and posing risks to other property owners and residents.
