Νο.132
Q.: I understand that you are “in” with this Government and for this reason may I ask you to organize some sort of an open debate between the Cyprus officials (e.g. Minister of Interior & Justice) in an open debate with special regard to us foreign people living in Cyprus?
Janet Manson (Mrs)

A.: Dear Janet, I am not “in” with the Government, neither this one nor the previous one. I am “in” (as you say) with sensible ideas and practical measures, in order to improve this country in my field i.e. the real estate market.
Having said that, the way some foreign people interpret freedom of speech with comparison to what locally is acceptable is quite different. For this reason I am afraid I will not pass on this idea of yours, since I have the feeling that it will be a springboard of all sorts of complains justified or not.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou




No.133
Q.: I must say that I admire your patience Mr Loizou. You help so many people through your published and unpublished Q + A column that I wonder how some people blame you for the permits/title issue problem as if you were the Government.
Joeff Blake

A.: Thank you for your support Joeff. On average the page publishes around 3-4 letters per week, whereas the actual number exceeds 12-15/week on average. Published and unpublished letters always get a reply from me directly.
Yes I do get the same impression that some foreign people feel that I am either the Government’s representative, or is connected with this Government. The fact is that I always try to express my views in such a manner, which is not provocative to the ears of at the time those in power and I submit constructive proposals (not only criticism) to persuade them to change the system. In this way you stand a reasonable chance to be listened to and contribute towards better things to come. This is what I am trying to explain to some hot-headed foreign people, who feel that by insulting the Government, they will get them listened to. Expressions such as “Shame Mr President” could have been changed to “Mr President Help us”, or “Foreign intervention will sort out the system”, could be changed to “adopt the E.U. procedures on deeds” etc, will pass on the message, but in a way to be listened to.
I am sorry to elongate my reply to you, but I take this opportunity to repeat myself the way one could express his right of freedom of speech. Locals will never think to use such slogans – Regrettable, we “hear” the few and not the vast silent majority of happy residents, but, as always, they do not make good readings in the press and other media.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou


No.134
Q.: I understand that non EU Cos and persons cannot acquire land in excess of 4000 sq.mts. in Cyprus. Also they are not allowed to buy shares in property etc etc. Yet if I am to register a Cypriot company or even a company in any one of the EU countries, all these restrictions are gone. – Is this correct Mr Loizou?
Slava Mandoff

A.: You are quite correct. There are ways around it as you say. Things are getting now even easier with the recent decision to provide permanent residency status, if one (non EU) buys a house in Cyprus in excess of €300.000 (subject to some limitations relating to no criminal record and proof of an annual income of around €20.000 (2 people) coming from abroad. This is a major attraction for some people, since most EU countries will allow unlimited purchase of real estate, but not necessary a permanent residency status. – Once you have this status and you live in Cyprus for 5 continuous years (at least 173 days per year) you can apply for a local Cypriot/EU passport. Just as an addition and in order to make it clear, illegal residents, foreign workers/employees etc, even if they live in Cyprus for more than 5 years, will not get a permanent residency status necessarily.
Regards,
A.P. Loizou





3/29073-td
18.8.09

Νο.135
Q.: Dear Sir.
A reply direct or in The Cyprus Weekly would be very much appreciated.
Can you help?
A Cypriot man has parked a 40ft container on a vacant lot next to our house, this lot is surrounded on 3 sides by houses, it is not an industrial area. I asked the guy what his intentions are, and he replied that he is a "plumber" and he is to use the container as storage. He has sited it near an electric supply and water supply and has stated he is to install A/C in the unit.
Apparently the owner of the land has given him permission to park the container on her land, but I dont know for what period of time.
During the past week in the afternoons he has been busy and very noisy putting shelving in this container, being 40ft and hollow you may imagine how loud the noise has been,as it is only 25 metres from by house.
I spoke to the man again this morning, and he said there SHOULD be very little noise apart from putting in and taking out metal pipes etc. He even gave me a card with all his details and further more it says he is a limited company.
Can you tell me, is this legal, and if not how do I go about getting it resited etc.
Many thanks.
S J Gardner.


A.: Parking of a container requires a permit. It is quite illegal especially if he uses it as a workshop. You should report this to the local authority and the District Office.

Regards,

A.P. Loizou




3/29083-td
21.8.09

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