Rental Agreements in Cyprus
Guide to rental agreements in Cyprus. Covers the Rent Control Law of 1983 (Law 23/1983), free-market leases, tenant rights, tax implications, and commercial leases.
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What's Included
What's Included
- Residential and commercial lease drafting
- Rent control law advisory
- Tenant and landlord rights review
- Deposit protection arrangements
- Lease renewal and termination handling
- Dispute resolution and eviction procedures
How It Works
Step 01
Due Diligence
Verify title deeds, encumbrances, planning permits, and full ownership history before any commitment.
Step 02
Contract & Negotiation
Draft and review the sale agreement, negotiate terms on your behalf, and protect your interests throughout.
Step 03
Transfer & Registration
Complete the transfer at the Land Registry and obtain title deeds registered in your name.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Rent Control Law of 1983 (Law 23/1983) is a statute that provides tenants with security of tenure and regulates rent increases for qualifying properties. It applies only to properties that were built on or before 31 December 1999 and are located within the municipal limits of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta, or Kyrenia. Properties built after that date, or located outside these controlled areas, are not covered by Law 23/1983.
Under Law 23/1983, a landlord can only evict a tenant by obtaining a court order from the Rent Control Tribunal and only on specific statutory grounds, such as non-payment of rent, breach of a material lease term, the landlord's genuine need to occupy the premises for personal use, or the intention to demolish and reconstruct. The landlord cannot simply refuse to renew the lease or demand the tenant leave.
No. Stamp duty was abolished from 1 January 2026 following the repeal of the Stamp Duty Law. Rental agreements entered into from 2026 onwards are no longer subject to stamp duty.
Rental income is subject to personal income tax at progressive rates of 0% to 35%. Landlords may deduct a flat 20% of gross rental income for expenses, or actual documented expenses if higher. SDC on rental income was abolished from 1 January 2026. A GHS contribution of 2.65% also applies for tax-resident landlords.
A comprehensive residential rental agreement should include the lease duration, monthly rent amount and payment terms, security deposit provisions, permitted use of the property, maintenance responsibilities for landlord and tenant, utility payment obligations, notice periods for termination, subletting restrictions, and an inventory of the property's condition and contents at commencement.
Residential property rentals are generally exempt from VAT. Commercial property rentals may be subject to VAT at 19% if the landlord elects to opt in to the VAT system. Short-term furnished holiday lets may also attract VAT depending on the nature and duration of the letting. Landlords should obtain specific advice based on their circumstances.
Commercial leases typically involve longer terms, more detailed provisions for fit-out and reinstatement, rent review mechanisms linked to market rates or inflation, clauses addressing assignment and subletting, exclusivity provisions in retail settings, and requirements for personal or corporate guarantees. Residential leases are generally simpler but must still address all essential terms to avoid disputes.
No. Following the abolition of stamp duty from 1 January 2026, rental agreements no longer need to be stamped. Prior to 2026, unstamped agreements were inadmissible as evidence in court, but this requirement no longer applies.
What Our Clients Say
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4.9(366+)Read Google Reviews“The counsel and service provided by Maria (Kokoridi) and support from Elpida (Matsoukidou) was outstanding as they helped us purchase our property in Paphos. Maria's expertise was invaluable and her determination to get us through a few sticky patches was sincerely appreciated. So responsive, with time zone differences never an issue. Cannot recommend them or the firm highly enough.”
Robert Irvine
Property purchase, Paphos
“I had an excellent experience with this law firm. Maria Kokoridi and Elpida Matsoukidou were especially outstanding, they were attentive, supportive, and made the property purchase process completely stress free. I never had to worry about the handling of checks and documents, as everything was managed safely and efficiently. I highly recommend their services.”
Angelika Churchman
Property purchase
“We recently used Philippou Law Firm for the purchase of property in Cyprus and were pleased with their service. The team was always responsive, professional, and quick to answer our emails and questions. They guided us through every step and worked hard to keep things moving. In the end, our purchase was completed successfully. Thank you to Ioannis and the whole team.”
Margarita K
Property purchase
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