Four buildings in old Nicosia have been closed by court order after a year of coordinated operations uncovered serious health deficiencies, overcrowding and fire safety violations, with people crammed into rooms lacking basic safety measures.
In one year, 18 operations were conducted in which 131 people were arrested for illegal residence whilst 318 premises were inspected, with complaints made for some. The four buildings were closed with orders issued by Nicosia Municipality due to infrastructure inadequacy.
The day before yesterday, at the initiative of Mayor Charalambos Prountzos, a meeting of all involved services was held due to the handover at the Justice Ministry, so that targeted operations continue in view of the arrival of two universities in the old city.
Three buildings found with serious violations
The Municipal Health Services of Nicosia Municipality found serious health deficiencies in three buildings, according to a report, including issues of overcrowding, safety and fire safety. It was decided to take legal measures against the building owners in cooperation with the Fire Service.
In another operation on 14 May 2025, 31 apartments in a total of 15 buildings were inspected, mainly old buildings. The Municipal Health Services inspected 15 buildings in cooperation with the Fire Service and found a series of violations, whilst EBA members found various illegal additions and extensions to the buildings.
On 29 May 2025, the operation targeted premises in areas with intense illegal activity. Two complaints were made for alcoholic beverage sales, whilst the Fire Service found a series of violations during checks and a report was prepared with the EBA for measures.
124 people found in 42 apartments
In another check of 42 apartments on two known streets in old Nicosia, 124 foreign persons were found.
The Nicosia Health Services in their checks found a series of health violations including overcrowding, disorder, filth, unsuitable electrical devices and generally unsuitable living conditions. The Fire Service found a series of fire safety violations and a detailed report followed to Nicosia Municipality.
EBA members found a series of violations under their jurisdiction involving building plan modifications. Tax Department members checked the two buildings and took tenant and owner details for checks under their jurisdiction.
Based on these investigations, the Municipality’s Health Services and EBA issued a temporary ex-parte closure order from the court for the two buildings.
In another operation in July, 15 apartments near Paphos Gate were inspected where makeshift constructions, gas cylinders and filth were found, whilst the Fire Service found a series of violations in all apartments checked. The fewest illegalities were found on Ledras and Onasagorou streets and concerned insignificant findings.
Anti-trafficking operation
In an Anti-Trafficking Office operation on 29 August 2025 on Trikoupi and Achilleos street for soliciting clients for prostitution, two Vietnamese girls were found who were illegally in Cyprus and were arrested for the offence of illegal stay.
A series of illegalities was found in an operation on 16 September 2025 in Nicosia areas inside and outside the walls.
In an apartment building in Agios Andreas, two apartments and one house at the back of the building were inspected and a total of five foreign persons were checked, who were legally in Cyprus.
The Health Services found town planning violations, filth, dangerous constructions and a letter will be sent to the building owner for compliance. The EBA found dangerous illegal constructions whilst the house at the back of the building was illegal. The Income Tax Department will check whether the owner pays tax on rental income. The Fire Service found use of gas cylinders inside the building and will send a letter to the EBA with its findings.
In a second building in the same area, nine apartments and 23 foreign persons were inspected who were legally in Cyprus.
The Municipality’s Health Services found filth, various illegalities and will issue an ex-parte order. The EBA found several illegalities and will await the letter from Nicosia Municipality. The Fire Service found gas cylinders, makeshift wire connections and will send a letter with findings to the EBA. The Tax Department will check whether the owner pays tax on apartment rental income.
Mayor: Situation changing
Speaking to Phileleftheros, Nicosia Mayor said that with the repeated campaigns, the sense of security of residents has begun to increase gradually and the situation is changing generally.
About the day before yesterday’s meeting, he said the new Justice Minister Fytiris wanted to be briefed on what has happened so far and to become aware of the problems that exist.
The campaigns started, he said, with the initiative of former minister Marios Hartsiotis and do not target migrants but illegality in barber shops, residential units, grocery stores and others.
Prountzos said he proposed moving the Ledras police station from the end of the street to the beginning near Eleftheria Square for security purposes, the installation of neighbourhood police in Nicosia Municipality, and requested that the smart city cameras the municipality has installed be allowed to report illegal drivers.
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