Turkish Cypriot property in the south will no longer be made available through bidding, a practice that in the past allowed them to be allocated as holiday homes, the House refugee committee decided on Tuesday.

Committee chairman, Akel MP Nikos Kettiros said all Turkish Cypriot properties would be distributed for use as a first home for refugees, so that the houses are used for their designated purpose, that is the housing of refugees.

The committee continued discussions on ironing out problematic regulations, that led to the exploitation of some of the properties.

The aim is to amend existing regulations governing the concession of Turkish Cypriot properties by the trustee and their management by refugees, in order to enhance the transparency and integrity of procedures and fairer distribution among refugees based on objective and measurable criteria.

“Turkish Cypriot houses will not be given as holiday homes again,” Kettiros said.

He clarified, however, that those with contracts still in effect for use as holiday homes would still be used for that purpose, with the option to renew the contract. Anything other would not be constitutional, Kettiros added.

Regarding the houses deemed unprofitable for repair, a proposal is being discussed stipulating that they could be claimed by refugees as long as they agreed to cover any costs beyond the amount of €40,000 granted by the state, Kettiros said.

He added that although the guardian of the properties had expressed concerns that this would create two-speed refugees, Kettiros said it was better to give refugees the opportunity to live in a house by investing a few thousand than not have a house at all.

The guardian will be examining the proposal and returning with its view at the next meeting.

Kettiros also referred to the Turkish Cypriot professional establishments, dismissing the suggestion that the refugees should pay an obligatory 75 per cent of the rent. This, proposal, he said, would be devastating for small businesses.

“We will never accept it to be 75 per cent – at least Akel won’t,” Kettiros said.

The rent, he said, should gradually increase but not to 75 per cent of the market rate.

Kettiros said the next Tuesday’s meeting would be long so that the issue could be wrapped up and sent to plenum before the summer recess.