Νο.288
Q.: Hello Mr Loizou

Your column is the first one we read each week - please continue with the excellent advice!

We do not have our title deeds yet but we would like to erect a spiral staircase to access the flat roof of our bungalow. It will be placed in an unobtrusive position in one corner. We would like to do this so we can access our flat roof safely rather than use a ladder in our mature years! Do we need a permit to do this?

Thanks in advance

TR Paphos


A.: Strictly speaking yes – Βut, if I was you, I would go the Cypriot way. Do it my friend and if you have a problem, take it down. This is the “way forward” under these circumstances.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou


3/29674-td
22.2.2010

Νο.289
Q.: Mr. Loizou...

I wish you can speak to someone in the government on the horrible parking Cyprus has.

Why is the government give permission for commercial buildings to be built with NO parking spaces or very limited parking. Parking spaces should be according to the size of the building, the bigger the building is the more parking should be.

With no place for people to park it creates traffic and a big mess everywhere.

Andrea Mentzel
Limassol


A.: Other than the original city central areas, all new buildings must have one parking for each residential units, plus visitors parking (in apartment blocks) and in case of offices, one lot per 60 sq.mts. plus visitors parking. The new regulations I feel are OK, but what is not OK is the “one man one car” attitude that we have (save the lack of proper public transport). This is the problem, the lack of a public system and our unreal Cypriot attitude.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou



3/29688-td
2.3.2010

No.290
Q.: Dear Mr Loizou, I am totally confused re your article in this weeks News stating it is rubbish and to ignore the information we received that we do need to install a tank before approval will be given, as you personally telephone me on February 1st,after I believe you had spoken with Andreas from Ataleza and told me that I did need to install the tank.Regards H>S

A.: I did not speak to you dear Valerie neither I spoke to Andreas of Ataleza. There is no building law requirement to have a water tank for a pool, unless you refer to the overflow tank which is quite different.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou


3/29687-td
2.3.2010

No.291
Q.: Dear Mr Loizou
I read with interest your weekly column on the Cyprus Weekly and note on
last weeks edition (12 - 18 Feb 10) that you mention in reply to your final
letter "We manage several large scale projects and wonder if we are on of
the few".

Could you please confirm if this mean your company has a section that deals
with Estate Management ? By this I mean a company that manages a complex on
behalf of and in conjunction with, the elected Management Committee.

I live at Trimithia Gardens in Chlorakas and although we do not have title
deeds issued, we understand they are in the final stage. With this in mind,
we have decided to form a Management Committee - currently at the embryo
stage, and would welcome a meeting with yourself or a colleague on the best
way to proceed and the services your company provides for complex's in our
situation. We have 103 residential units and 5 commercial units.

I can be contacted on 99 088 930 and look forward to hearing from you or a
representative.

Yours

Bryan Wilson


A.: Yes we do manage such complexes in coordination with the Management Committee. We try to avoid Pafos as being rather distant, but a meeting will not be possible at this time, but Mr Andreas Anastasi of our office will contact you and discuss the matter within the next few days.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou



3/29686-td
2.3.2010

No.292
Q.: Dear Sir,

I saw your article in the Cyprus Weekly today regarding Residence Permits and I am eager for your help in my case.

I have just purchased a house off plan in Larnaca on ------ Project, the value including VAT is Euros 553,000 and it has been mentioned that I may be able to get the VAT back if I can prove I am a permanent residence.

Now, I will not live permanently in Cyprus but as I live and work in Asia for the time being and I am able to have my salary paid into my Cypriot account that was set up when I was granted a 65% mortgage, is it possible to get around some of the issues?

I am a UK passport holder but have lived in Asia for 12 years, I have no permanent property in Asia that is used for a home and my company pay my housing costs, my salary is well in excess of the E30k you state. I have 2 investments properties in Asia to a value of approximately E500,000.

Do you have any relevant issues on my case and could your company help me with the process for a fee?

Your sincerely,

M. Thwts


A.: In order to get the V.A.T. (10% out of the 15%) back, you must show that it is your permanent home. It means that you must live in Cyprus at least 183 days per year by projection. Getting a residence permit is one thing and getting the V.A.T. refund is another. Having communicated with the V.A.T. people, I did not get a clear answer. What is more certain is that when your house is delivered, you must keep electricity/water/telephone bills on your name, avoid letting the property out and you have to prove that this is your permanent residence. A difficult situation to prove, but it is worth a go. Sorry for not being able to give you a clear answer.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou

3/29690-td
2.3.2010

No. 293
Q.: Dear Mr. Loizou,
My wife and I love your articles as also the reliable and straightforward answers you provide to us, the readers of Cyprus Weekly.
We are currently at the initial stages of building our house and in the following areas we cannot decide for the ‘best’ building method to adopt. Therefore, we would like your views and experience on the following issues possibly giving us the wider view of the issue so that your answer will benefit all the readers

• Should we build a pitched roof (concrete per your advice) or ‘flat’ roof? If we opt for the flat roof what methods are to insulate the roof for better thermal properties?
• In respect to the indoor units of the central heating would you advise to use the normal radiators (widely used in Cyprus) with the disadvantage of aesthetics and floor spacing or use the under floor heating with water pipes (with the disadvantage that cannot be serviced easily/inexpensive ) or maybe another kind of indoor unit?
• Is it advisable to use VRV air-conditioning for a residential house of 230sq2 or rather use normal split units?
• Are there any types of aluminium double glazed windows and doors that can be used in bedrooms that can provide extra noise insulation?
• Finally, with the relatively new requirement for energy efficiency in building, do you support that the best method, considering value for money, is to cover the house columns with thermal polystyrene and use 30cm bricks and 5cms (each site) of plasters for outside walls or would you opt for an other option?

Dear Mr Loizou we are looking forward to your reply and the opening of your Souvlaki chain ‘ Fyrmos’. (Older readers will remember this J)

Thanking you in Advance
Christos & Theodora Ioannides


A.: Thank you for your support. The question of flat or pitched roof is a matter of personal taste, but for my part I would opt for a pitched concrete roof with tiles on top. It appears better, it hides the tanks etc and it provides a storage space (as an attic). There are all sorts of materials for flat concrete roof insulation and your architect can advice you on this. Be careful however to make provision for the bases for placing the water tank, solar heater and A.C., because since if they are placed on top of the insulation, the latter will be damaged.
I could opt for the radiators system (recessed) or electric floor heating. Check consumption cost prior to a decision. Your M&E consultant will guide you on this.
With respect to the A.C. use the split unit. VRV is more efficient, but it must work as a whole. So if you want to cool one bedroom out of the total space in your house, you will find it very expensive. If you can afford it, try to have the units concealed in a false ceiling.
You can have treble glazed for added noise protection. Imported (usually) Italian doors are a good choice.
Regarding the thermal insulation, what you are suggesting is quite expensive, but to be quite honest with you, I am not qualified to answer. Best ask your M&E in conjunction with your architect regarding the added costs V energy saving. Check the costs because if it is a holiday home it may not worth it. The added energy requirements refer to basic insulation and not to the extent that you refer. I would opt for a double wall with polystyrene in the middle, since it is less expensive and as good.
Regarding the souglaki (my brand Fyrmos), wait for it my friends.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou


3/29685-td
3.3.2010

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