Q.: What is the building cost for building an ordinary house Mr Loizou? We are informed of all sorts of prices, that we do not dare prepare plans and seek tenders, if from the outset the cost is outside our budget.
James & Jannett Hilton

A.: The costs are recorded in our website. I will expect however that costs will go down, bearing in mind the forthcoming depression in the building industry.
On a lighter note, if you are of the Hilton (Hotels) family, the costs should not be a problem!! All the best.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: We are aware that the new E.C. regulations require added energy insulation of buildings. What is the cost of these added requirements Mr Loizou?
Costas Gabrielides

A.: The regulations refer to buildings over 1.000 sq.mts. In any case assume an added cost of around €16-€25/sq.mts. to the ordinary cost. Some of this added cost you can claim from the Government, based on the energy saving measures published as such in this paper (see our website). If indeed the cost is around this figure or for a house around €3.500, bear in mind the energy saved. I do understand however that it is a matter of cash flow.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: I note what you have said on a reader’s question about the heat and your suggestion to choose the mountain resorts and especially Platres village. I also record that you are biased on Platres for the reasons you have given. What do you think about Lefkara village, since we love the place, both for its people quality and the local unique architecture.
Paschalis Alvanis

A.: Lefkara is more downhill but very attractive. I do not think that Lefkara will have the cool weather of Platres and other high attitude villages. Get the mean temperatures during summer from the weather department, compare and make your own decisions. As you say, I am biased!! Having said that I agree with you, if you live in Lefkara you live in history.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: We have a plot of land in the Famagusta area and we were informed by the Lands Office that our boundaries are wrong (originally marked by the Lands Office many years ago) and our house is now intruding into the neighbor’s plot. This is not acceptable. How can we trust the Governmental Lands Office if what we buy and build on after some years we find that it is not ours? – Any ideas on this Mr Loizou?
Anthony Karas

A.: Famagusta area is in trouble, since after the invasion, the Lands Office records were not available. This is why the titles refer to as being “temporary titles”. Now that the new technology is available, they are putting matters right, but in the process we get the sort of things you have. You can object to the new boundaries of your plot, but I suspect you have very little chance against the Government, notwithstanding the just case that you make. You can sue the Government for the error they made originally, but this is a legal and long process etc. What a mess my friend – One of the lesser but yet most important side effects of the Turkish invasion for the ordinary people, be it 34 years after – I am deeply sorry that I cannot offer you solid advice – Please consult your solicitor.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: I am married with a local woman and on 25/10/08, CBC had a program about Pissouri village. She translated to me the 45’ minutes program and I am telling you despite the fact that we have a house there for the last 8 months, I never knew Pissouri as this was shown. We know that you have a house there, don’t you think this sort of programs (we understand it promotes mainly remote villages in Cyprus) should have at least English translation on the screen? After all it is the foreign people mainly who have “discovered” these villages? Could you pass on my letter to the CBC bosses please?
Helena + Gregory Vradislav

A.: What a lovely idea. I agree with you absolutely. A similar Greek program (in Greece) on the similar subject has it. I will also send a copy of your letter and my reply to C.T.O. Thank you for your suggestion.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: I note your suggestion for the Limassol Mayor Andreas Christou and the good future of Limassol. Don’t you think that it will be a good idea if you and Mr Christou participate with others in a seminar on the future of Limassol?
Hans Didrixt

A.: I agree with you. I will pass on your letter to Mr Christou, who, I am sure that he will go for the idea. Limassol is becoming an international town, based on the Cyprus scale. Any mayor will want to promote his town. Mr Christou is your/our man to do it.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: I followed your advice Mr Loizou. I have written to the Ombudswoman regarding the sewage tax, despite the fact that we have just now the central sewage system. I got a reply from her that this was all legal as you have informed me during our correspondence. I must say that your advice was “good” since now, at least I know that the charge is legally supported as such by a High Court decision. It did not cost me anything but I wanted to thank you and promote your solid advice to your readers and add that your advice is as good as gold. Many thanks.
Haris Stavrou

A.: My dear Haris, I hope that all my advices are “golden” – On a lighter note, do you think that you can spare some “gold” bearing in mind the hard times that the building industry/we are facing? Thank you for your comments however.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: I have read somewhere on a website, naming that you are a “so called expert”. I object to this. You are the only person for us foreign people to whom we can turn for private, as well as general advice. You take the time to write to each one of us privately and through this lovely paper. Is it not the time to take a libel action against all these objectionable people whose aims are not clearly defined?
Christina Vains

A.: I have never named myself an expert. What is an expert is for the people to decide. I have a 38 years contribution in the building industry, not only for profit, but for social work including in particular the younger generation etc etc.
Some people ask me, if “these” people are financed/encouraged by the invading Turkish forces to help downturn the Cyprus building industry. I reply definitely not. Everybody is free to express their views, but, in a descent manner respecting each other views. The libel suit passes through my mind and although it is not a way to solve a difference, sometimes, the provocation is too much.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: I am aware that you have published the Building Industry Index (2005-2007) and although I have rushed to get a free copy, the booklet is written in the Greek language. My son who speaks fluent Greek and who studies in the University of Reading, told me that this information is a useful for all local property people to know. Do you think you can publish the same at least in the English language?
Liana Travelto

A.: I have received many commendations on this and only publication on the Cyprus Building Industry including the President of the Republic, the Governor of the Central Bank, the High Court Judiciary etc. It is a matter of time and cost. I wish someone could translate it for us and we seek no reward whatsoever.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: I have studied the new financial measures that the Government is taking in order to expand its housing policy. Although the subsidies and grants given are not much per item, it can amount to approximately €5.000 per house. I also note that the subsidies apply both to locals and foreign people. Do you think that this is fair Mr Loizou, since the €130 mil. subsidies provided come from the various taxes that the locals pay, with very little, if any contribution by the foreign residents.
Nicolas Yiallourides

A.: We are all one Nicolas, as long as we believe in the E.U. You must bear in mind that each E.U. country reciprocates – see for example the subsidized fees in the U.K. for the Universities etc for Cypriots and others. We are building a united future and although I understand what you say, it will be a mistake to follow the “us and them” route.
A.P. Loizou

Q.: My insurance agent insists that in addition to the various ordinary items, I must insure my house for “third party” liability. I fail to see what is the reason for his insistance. Is there something that I am missing?
Lenny Strand

A.: This type of insurance covers any people, who have an accident within your house/garden. If someone falls down because of your fault (e.g. the floor is slippery, or a stone is protruding etc) then you are responsible for damages etc. To be quite honest with you, I would not invite anybody in my house without this insurance in hand. It does not cost much, but it takes one event to upset the serenity of your house. I had a guest once, who once he sat on the chair, the chair broke down. He did not injured himself, but you do appreciate the sort of thing that can happen. You do remember the two children who went, without permission, to the neighbor’s pool and one of them drowned. The pool owner was away and he just missed paying damages since the judge said that he “ought to have had the garden inaccessible and the pool secured”!!
A.P. Loizou
Q.: We live outside Limassol and getting our private mail delivered is a problem and from time to time unreliable. Any alternative Mr Loizou?
Nayia Rousou

A.: The village Muchtar could come up with something, since I am sure that for small/distant villages, the post is placed in one place and all residents collect their mail from there. The most reliable alternative is to have a private post office box at the nearest point. It costs only €31 p.a., but it can be a problem since the only way to realize that you have a letter is actually to visit and inspect your post office box. Not a satisfactory solution I am afraid.

A.P. Loizou
 

www.aloizou.com.cy

www.aloizou.ro

www.aloizou.ru

ala-HQ@aloizou.com.cy