The Mayor of Lefkara, Sophocles Sophocleous, warned that he may be forced to take matters into his own hands if the issue of Turkish Cypriot properties in the village is not resolved, speaking before the House Refugees Committee. He said he would proceed with solutions “by taking the law into my own hands” if state authorities fail to act.
Responding to the claims, Elena Karekla, representing the Guardian of Turkish Cypriot Properties, said procedures for addressing the issue are already under way, noting that 18 of the 88 properties under the Guardian’s management in Lefkara remain uninhabited. She added that efforts are focused on publishing available properties in Lefkara in April.
Buildings collapsing
The mayor told the committee that he has been sending letters to the Interior Ministry on the matter since 2017. He said there are 105 Turkish Cypriot properties in Lefkara abandoned since 1963, many of which are listed buildings, creating additional complications. “The state must take responsibility to protect them. They are collapsing day by day,” he said.
He accused authorities of longstanding mismanagement of Turkish Cypriot properties, claiming this had occurred with the tolerance of the state. He alleged that non-entitled occupants had demanded payments of €20,000 and €15,000 from families in exchange for handing over homes.
The mayor also raised concerns over abandoned houses allegedly being used for illegal activities, noting that under the law responsibility lies with the Interior Minister. He called for immediate on-site inspections, identification of beneficiaries and the publication of available properties so that people in need can move in.
'Plundering must stop'
“The problem will be resolved - either properly or by me,” he said, adding that he had already intervened in one case by opening a house and changing the locks to accommodate a pregnant woman. “In the end, her presence was legalised. If homes are given to people to live in, the issue can be considered resolved,” he said.
Speaking after the committee meeting, Sophocleous said poor management of Turkish Cypriot housing had once again been confirmed. “The plundering must stop. The rightful beneficiaries must receive the homes and live in them,” he said, warning that if cooperation is not forthcoming, the municipality will take all lawful measures to recover the properties.
Assessments pending
On behalf of the Guardian, senior Interior Ministry official Elena Karekla said recent meetings had prompted concrete action. She explained that of the 88 properties managed by the Guardian in Lefkara, 59 are residential, 11 commercial and 18 uninhabited. Inspections identified 22 violations in residential properties and four in commercial premises, mainly involving unpaid rent or failure to renew leases after the death of the original tenant.
She stressed that 70 of the 88 properties are already in use and are not vacant. Three recovery notices have been issued in the past month, with further measures planned for non-compliant occupants.
Regarding uninhabited properties, Karekla said engineers had begun visual inspections earlier this month. Two buildings have already been deemed subject to demolition, while assessments of five others are pending. A meeting with the Town Planning Department has been scheduled to address listed and condemned buildings.
Concerns over cleanliness
Karekla confirmed that the next publication of available Turkish Cypriot properties is expected in April and is likely to include properties in Lefkara.
Committee chairman and AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros raised concerns about cleanliness and safety at properties under the Guardian’s responsibility, citing broken doors and an image that “does not reflect well on the country”, particularly during Cyprus’s EU presidency.
MPs from several parties called for clear timelines, enforcement of the law, and funding for municipalities to address cleaning and restoration, stressing the need for swift action to ensure properties are allocated legally and transparently.