New Draft Legislation For Illegally Constructed Homes And Properties

The Environment Ministry announced a new draft legislation on Tuesday that offers greater incentives to owners of homes that were illegally constructed (or altered) before 2003 to declare the properties and be exempted from future hefty fines and/or even possible demolition.

The bill groups these properties into three categories. Firstly the homes that were illegally constructed (and/or altered) before 1975 can now become legal with a payment (fine) of 500 Euros. (The owners who have already paid a fine are to be reimbursed.)

Secondly, home owners must pay 15 percent of the applicable fine to avoid demolition for all properties that were illegally constructed and/or modified between the periods 1975 and 1982.  And lastly, newer homes that were built and/or altered between the period 1983-2003, are expected be charged at least 20 percent of the applicable fine.