Dialogos

Exorbitant Rent Increases for Turkish Cypriot Properties – Kettiros Intervenes in Parliament

Published January 14, 2026, 06:03
Exorbitant Rent Increases for Turkish Cypriot Properties – Kettiros Intervenes in Parliament

Significant reactions have been triggered by the large increases in rents for Turkish Cypriot properties, with a notable example being an increase from €20 to €1,700 per month. The issue was discussed in the Parliamentary Refugee Committee, where strong criticism was directed at the Turkish Cypriot Property Management Service for imposing increases without considering the refugees' investment in renovating and upgrading the properties. Committee President Nikos Kettiros emphasized that the excessive increases are making some businesses unsustainable and called for transparency in the scoring list. The Turkish Cypriot Property Management Service assured that special provisions are being made and that there is no intention to financially ruin the refugees, while stating that the increases are based on tenant data, investments, and property value. In a specific case, the rent increase for an aluminum factory from €4,000 annually to €37,000 annually was deemed excessive by POVEK's Organizational Secretary, Kyriakos Mustakas, who stated that refugees have contributed to the revitalization of Turkish Cypriot neighborhoods. The Service argued that 99% of the complaints are unfounded. POVEK has scheduled meetings in various cities to inform those affected and prepare a memorandum for amending the legislation, aiming to prevent financial hardship for refugees due to the exorbitant rents.