THE NUMBER of building permits issued in April 2013 stood at 508 compared with the 500 issued in April 2012; an increase of 2%, according to figures released by the Cyprus Statistical Service earlier today.
However, compared with April 2012, the total area of these permits fell to 85,812 square metres from 106,044 (-19%), while their value decreased to €87.934 million from €106.275 million (-17%).
During April, building permits were issued for:
- Residential buildings – 343 permits
- Non-residential buildings – 84 permits
- Civil engineering projects – 25 permits
- Division of plots of land – 46 permits
- Road construction – 10 permits
During the first four months of 2013 a total of 1,905 building permits have been authorised; a decrease of 24% compared with the 2,496 issued during the first four months of 2012. Their total value has decreased by 7% and their total area has fallen by 14%.
New home construction
The 343 residential building permits approved in April provided for the construction of 297 new homes comprising 182 single houses and 115 multiple housing units (such as apartments and other residential complexes).
This is a fall of 20% compared with April 2012 when building permits were issued for the construction of 373 new homes.
During the first four months of 2013, the number of new homes for which permits were authorised has fallen by 10% compared with the same period in 2012.
According to the Cyprus Statistical Service, building permits constitute a leading indicator of future activity in the construction sector.
Notwithstanding the poor building standards IMO the Cyprus property industry and related so called professionals have ruined the lives of too many for it ever to recover, and rightly so.
If the Government can’t be bothered to clean up this industry, rid it of rogues and guarantee the safety of buyers then the next numbers issued will be worse.
If we take the banking crisis as an example Cyprus only reacts when it is too late.
They just do not and will not get it.
It is too late!
Fully agree with Andrew.
Also encourage environmentally friendly building such as the pre-assembled German manufacturer. These type of houses are made to a very high standard and can be erected in a little as two weeks. There was a BBC television program where the house site was prepared and built in a week. The houses are fully insulated damp proof and can be customized to a customers wishes. The only problem is that they are slightly more expensive to buy than traditional build houses.
Planning in Cyprus seems chaotic and needs much improvement. Mainly though people will not buy a house where they think they may get ripped-off and so the laws need to be changed to make sure the buyer of the house and their money are protected. Perhaps an iron-clad guarantee of return of all money and or that all problems will be put to rights.
Introduce energy efficient buildings.Have all building work inspected at prescribed intervals during construction. Adopt and use a new build guarantee scheme. Then issue title deeds at the point of sale and maybe Cyprus will sell more homes.
Carry on building shoddy,damp,uninsulated and unfinished homes, with not a cat in hells chance of ever obtaining title deeds and we have the status quo.