A “window” for the legalization of semi-outdoor spaces built after 2009

The state leadership is about to rethink the legalization of 200,000 semi-outdoor spaces, belonging to properties the owners of which has no permission to build them. The main reason the government - and in particular high-ranking environment ministry officials - are giving the matter another thought is because the legalization of the spaces in question would mean an increase in state revenue, as the owners will be asked to pay a considerable amount each as a “tax” of acceptance that will “close” their case.

For the moment the picture is blurry but the president of the Federation of Building Contractors, Dimitris Kapsimalis, said that, “we believe that if the government does not change the existing law, then a great many property owners will be unable to sell or sign over their houses to others after January 2012.

The new amendment is expected to be passed in parliament by the end of the month. As for some of the tax fees, the government is considering lowering them in order for it to be easier for some owner categories to pay them.