The Department of Lands and Surveys has placed proposed amendments to the Immovable Property (Restriction of Sales) Law of 2002, Law 82(I)/2002, before public consultation. The amendments seek to modernise the determination of the reserved sale price and accelerate compulsory sales of immovable property, particularly where jointly owned property cannot be divided among its co-owners.
Under the proposal, the applicant would obtain a valuation report from a private valuer registered with the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber following notification by the District Lands Officer. Where the first auction is unsuccessful, the reserved sale price would be reduced by 15%, with the intention of avoiding prolonged proceedings caused by the absence of purchasers at the original price.
The proposal also introduces specific provisions for indivisible property. Where five years have passed since the valuation and at least two auctions have been unsuccessful, the application for compulsory sale would be set aside. Before a new request may proceed, the possibility of dividing the property must be reconsidered under section 27 of the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Law, Cap. 224. If the property remains indivisible, a new valuation and reserved price may be required.
The proposed reform may help resolve long-standing disputes involving jointly owned or inherited property. Nevertheless, the final legislation should preserve adequate safeguards concerning the independence of private valuers, the right of co-owners to dispute an inaccurate valuation and the risk of compulsory sale at an unjustifiably low price.
The public consultation commenced on 7 August 2026 and remains open until 8 September 2026. The proposed amendments have not yet been enacted and may be revised following the consultation process.
View the official public consultation
This publication is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
