The legal framework
Landlord and tenant relationships in Cyprus are governed by a specialised and strict legislative framework, primarily anchored in the Rent Control Law of 1983 (Law 23/1983), as amended.
For a dispute to fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Rent Control Court, three statutory conditions must be satisfied cumulatively:
Location
The property must be situated within the boundaries of a Controlled Area, as designated by the Council of Ministers.
Construction date
Construction of the property must have been completed on or before 31 December 1999.
Statutory tenancy
The contractual tenancy must have expired or been terminated, rendering the tenant a “statutory tenant”.
Division of jurisdiction
As authoritatively established by the Supreme Court of Cyprus in its leading judgment, there is no concurrent jurisdiction between the District Courts and the Rent Control Court.
There is no concurrent jurisdiction between the District Courts and the Rent Control Court.
Papageorgiou v. Karayiannis (1988) — Supreme Court of Cyprus
The Rent Control Court has exclusive jurisdiction over:
- (a)Restricting and granting Eviction Orders (recovery of possession), strictly on the grounds exhaustively listed in Section 11(1) of the Law.
- (b)Determining and adjusting payable rent — fair rent / statutory rent adjustment under Section 8.
- (c)Awarding damages and statutory compensation in favour of tenants under Sections 12, 13 and 15.
- (d)Granting a new tenancy to the tenant under Section 14.
In all other instances — for example properties outside designated controlled areas or buildings erected after 31 December 1999 — jurisdiction lies exclusively with the District Courts.
The 2020 fast-track eviction procedure
Amending Law 3(I)/2020 shifted the legal landscape decisively in favour of property owners in cases of non-payment of rent.
How we can help
Our practice covers all proceedings within the jurisdiction of the Rent Control Court, as well as originating applications under Section 6 of the Law for the variation, review or discharge of existing Court orders. We represent both landlords and tenants in:
Eviction proceedings
Recovery of possession due to rent arrears, owner-occupancy (personal residence) or substantial reconstruction/development.
Fair rent applications
Determination and formal adjustment of the statutory rent.
Rent arrears & mesne profits
Enforcement and financial recovery of unpaid rent and mesne profits.
Claims for damages
Property damage, alterations or unauthorised interference with the leased premises.
