Turkish Cypriot properties available for use by Greek Cypriot refugees will be made public every three months on the website of the service that manages them, the House refugee committee heard on Tuesday.

MPs continued discussions on the regulations for allocating Turkish Cypriot property to eligible refugees with a view to enhancing the transparency and integrity of the procedures and distributing them more fairly.

Speaking after the meeting, committee chair and Akel MP Nikos Kettiros said a lot of pending issues had been sorted out and the committee had unanimously agreed that the list of available properties be posted quarterly on specific dates so that those interested could keep up to date.

Kettiros added that grants of up to €40,000 would be given to partly cover expenses for property in need of repair.

Furthermore, farming land could now be handed down to family members to continue agricultural or livestock farming.

Regarding rent for professional premises, Kettiros said the service’s proposal was to set the rate at 75 per cent of the going market price, however Akel said the rent should be lower for refugees.

MPs did not conclude this discussion and the parties were called upon to submit proposals.

Kettiros also said a provision was unanimously included to determine a lease period of up to seven years in areas under special administration.

During the next meeting, MPs will discuss rent on Turkish Cypriot property for refugees and tie up loose ends so that legislation can be brought to the plenum.

Last month, it was reported that civil servants had made millions virtually overnight by appropriating Turkish Cypriot properties and taking advantage of the lack of supervision by the interior ministry run guardian of the properties.

An Audit Office investigation into the selling of Turkish Cypriot properties revealed they had been bought at a fraction of their value in some cases and sold for millions of euros in a matter of weeks.