In March, the issuance of property titles and lease certificates for residences in refugee settlements and self-housing settlements will begin, as stated today in the Refugee Committee of the Parliament. Currently, titles for over 8,500 residences are pending.Following the Refugee Committee meeting, President Nikos Kettiros stated that today’s session was essentially a supervisory process of the decisions made regarding whether the competent state services are implementing all that is decided, specifically concerning the progress of property titling in refugee settlements and self-housing settlements. He reminded that on December 8, 2023, legislation was passed simplifying the procedures for issuing property titles and lease certificates pending before the Land Registry, the Welfare Service, the District Administration, and others.As members of the Committee were informed today, Mr. Kettiros said, there are currently 8,533 property titles or lease certificates pending across Cyprus, and according to the legislation passed, the Land Registry should have begun, except for some exceptions, the titling process.He added that based on the information, there were some procedural issues, and starting from March 2024, titling and issuance of lease certificates will commence. “During the implementation of this process by the competent Departments, it has become transparent that there may be some difficulties and issues that were not anticipated. We have invited them to hold a meeting by next Tuesday among themselves and to inform the Parliament on how they will overcome all these issues,” he said, adding that the Committee is available to assist the services where needed.Mr. Kettiros noted that on-site inspections have been eliminated from this process, which caused delays, the 5-year limitation for lease certificates has been removed, and titles are also issued with a note where minor irregularities existed.He emphasized that in the coming period, the Committee will re-examine the issue of titling because many citizens are waiting for titles, as titles for 8,500 residences are pending.
