Q.: Dear Mr Loizou
My husband & I are avid readers of your column and greatly respect your informed answers to readers’ questions.
I eagerly await the next edition of the paper – I always head straight for your column.
Hopefully you will now be able to help us.
We moved to Avgorou in May 2007. In July we received a Community Bill for £186 cyp – as law abiding citizens we duly paid this amount on the due date (December). We did not question that the bill maybe should have been pro rata. We have now received our bill for 2008 = £186 cyp
We have now made many friends both Cypriot and English within Avgorou and neighbouring villages.
When I told them about our bill for 2008 they were amazed.
Our friends in Vrysoulles paid £90 cyp last year – they are still awaiting their bill for 2008.
Our friends in Liopetri paid £110 cyp last year and this year their bill is £120 cyp.
We live on the very outskirts of the village – on a private road – the only thing the council do for us is collect our rubbish – they do not clean our road – nor is there lighting pavements etc to be maintained by them.
When our Cypriot friends in the village complained to the Council they were just told – “that’s the charge – pay or move”.
They are now putting together a petition.
I realise that different “boroughs” charge differing rates – just as in England.
I was wondering if there are any procedures in place whereby we can appeal against the charge and so have it reduced?
Eagerly await your response.
Resident of Avgorou

A.: I have answered a similar question two weeks ago. Regrettably the law is not clear and there is no clear basis of assessment. Because I had a similar experience I sued Larnaca Municipality for this, but for a bill of £220, the legal cost would have been many times more, so I withdrew.
An easy way out is to write to the Ombudswoman (she is very good) stating your situation. She will investigate and come back to you with a clear answer. I regret that I cannot be of more help.

A.P. Loizou

www.aloizou.com.cy

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