Greece to Overhaul Apartment Building Laws Amid Modern Challenges

Greece is set to overhaul its co-ownership laws for apartment buildings, introducing significant legislative changes nearly a century after the initial regulations were established. The Ministry of Justice announced the reforms, citing the inadequacy of existing laws in the face of modern challenges.

Justice Minister George Floridis and Deputy Minister Yiannis Bougas explained that technological progress, evolving social structures, and the rise of new economic models like short-term rentals have made the current legal framework insufficient. These developments have complicated relationships between co-owners, necessitating a more flexible, clear, and contemporary legal system to resolve disputes and facilitate property utilization.

“

The evolution of technology, the change in social structures, and the emergence of new forms of modern economic activity, such as short-term rentals, have rendered the existing legal framework completely inadequate.

The reform package focuses on three main areas: modernizing outdated building regulations that often fail to meet current needs, enhancing mechanisms for faster and more effective dispute resolution to ease the burden on courts, and establishing clear rules for short-term property rentals, which have become a frequent source of conflict among co-owners.

A 13-member committee, led by Areios Pagos judge Konstantia Emmanouilidou, will spearhead the legislative initiative. Their work will involve codifying scattered provisions related to co-ownership, updating regulations to reflect new socioeconomic realities, and ensuring alignment with the National Cadastre and urban planning laws.

“

Relationships between co-owners have become more complex, creating the need for a more flexible, clear, and modern legal arsenal that can resolve emerging differences and facilitate the utilization of real estate.