MPs call for rent cap on artists using Turkish Cypriot properties

The House refugee committee on Tuesday called for an immediate halt to rent increase notices for artists and craftsmen operating in Turkish Cypriot properties at the Mesoyios artists’ park in Larnaca.

The decision was taken during a session attended by the deputy culture minister Vasiliki Kassianidou amid growing concern over reported rent hikes that could threaten the creative community based in the area.

Committee chair and Akel MP Nikos Kettiros said the park has developed “a special cultural and touristic profile”, largely shaped by displaced artists, who had “created a distinctive cultural product for Larnaca”.

Despite what he described as an informal understanding that rents would remain low to support both the artists and the area, reports emerged of significant increases.

Earlier discussions referred to rises of up to 80 per cent while under the revised regulatory framework, provisions now allow for increases of 60 per cent in professional leases, alongside a circular suggesting a starting point of 25 per cent for continued use.

Kettiros stressed that the positions of local stakeholders, including Larnaca municipality, and the deputy ministries of culture and tourism, should be taken into account, as all seek to sustain and upgrade the area.

Disy MP Rita Theodorou Superman aligned with the consensus, describing the contribution of the artists as “unique”.

She argued that state policy towards displaced persons should be grounded in fairness rather than charity.

“These are people who have lost their property and are trying to rebuild their lives,” she said, questioning why the state, as administrator of Turkish Cypriot properties, cannot adopt a differentiated approach compared to private landlords.

Diko MP Zacharias Koulias called for the establishment of a formal framework to address such cases, adding that although the rents involved are relatively low “the management must help”.

Dipa MP George Penintaex said the committee had heard the “cry of anguish” from artists working across 11 premises in the park.

“These are people who maintain the premises themselves and are asking for rents not to increase so that they can survive,” he said.

The committee will send a letter to the ministry requesting that no increase notices be issued until the matter is reconsidered.

Kassianidou expressed support for targeted measures, citing the cultural importance of the area.

“There should be special treatment for this specific region, due to their great contribution,” she said, linking the issue to Larnaca being named European capital of culture in 2030.

“It is vital not to lose this cultural core”, she stressed.