Kathimerini article:
by Nikos Roussanoglou
"Hundreds of thousands of property owners are getting increasingly desperate as property market professionals estimate that the number of unlet homes is close to 300,000 and rising.
Given that there are some 1 million houses in the rental market around the country, that means that about one in every three houses and apartments for rent is standing empty.
Owners are unable to lease them even at considerably reduced rates, while it is virtually impossible to sell in the current economic climate as demand is nonexistent. Worse still, the taxes that owners have to pay are much higher today than in previous years, placing an extra burden on landlords with empty properties.
The only category of properties that manage to attract tenants relatively easily is one-bedroom apartments and small houses up to 65 square meters. Larger houses, which entail higher maintenance costs etc, remain empty, as is the case with tens of thousands of commercial spaces – offices and stores – owing to the closure of thousands of enterprises.
Furthermore, many tenants have fallen behind on their rent. According to recent data compiled by the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA), almost 50 percent of tenants around the country are between two and six months behind on their payments, and in some cases even up to a year. The economic crisis and the high unemployment rate mean thousands of tenants are unable to pay their rent; in most cases in Athens, tenants have not paid their rent for two months, while in Thessaloniki, four out of five tenants have not paid for up to five months.
The phenomenon of unreliable tenants is of course nothing new, but before the crisis, they only comprised 15 to 20 percent of the total. In the last couple of years, however, their number has increased threefold. Many landlords with tenants are today opting to reduce their rates, based on the relationship they have built over time, as well as to avoid the risk of not being able to find a tenant at all.
All this creates huge problems for landlords, as besides the lack of tenants or major delays in rent payment, they also have to pay tax on rents they have not yet collected. The imposition of the special property tax levied via electricity bills has effectively deducted two to three monthly rents from every property on an annual basis, rendering properties a tax burden for owners rather than a form of income".
Home-owners with mortgages at risk? (Athens News)
***Other less recent property-related information( from www.corfuproperty.gr) that you might have missed:
Important Notice for Property Owners in Greece (registration extended until 30 June 2012)
The Greek Parliament passed a new law under number 4014/21-09-2011 which gives the opportunity of regularisation of unlawfully erected structures and installations or illegal building conversions, i.e. conversion of a dwelling into a shop.
As of to date the realisation of any legal transaction is not allowed for illegally erected buildings or buildings with illegal uses. Starting of 21-09-2011 every legal transaction should contain a declaration signed by a chartered engineer verifying building legality.
Building Energy Efficiency Certificate
As of January 10 all buildings of minimum plan area of 50 m. sq. (about 500 sq. ft) need to have an Energy Efficiency Certificate in order to be rented or sold.
These certificates rate buildings according to their energy efficiency and are similar to those issued for electrical appliances. An estimate of their energy consumption will be made in order to cover heating, cooling, lighting and aeration needs and a series of works will be suggested in order to reduce them.
Such certificates are issued by Energy Inspectors.
Legalisation of a conversion (registration date expired)
A new law is passed (Nr. 3843/2010) which gives the right to legalise the change of use of domestic areas from auxiliary to main for a length of time of forty (40) years. For example, one could convert a garage into bedroom or a covered veranda into lounge.
The fine to be paid to the state is rated according to the plan area of the structure to be converted as well as its tax value.
This law covers buildings with a planning permit issued before 2-7-2009, no matter whether they are completed or not. Registration date has been expired.
***
Looking for a nice house in the North of Corfu? Have a look here
Or around the island? Have a look here
More villas, here
There seems to be a lot on the market, not just at the high end.
Before deciding to settle, why not read some of the divided (divisive?) comments inspired by the series "A Tale of Two Islands"?
See Corfucius' thoughtful comments for 27 October. Luckily I am not on Facebook, so I've not been reading much of the feedback on The Corfu Grapevine. If you are on Facebook, try this link.
For some flavour of the 'class war' feedback on The Corfu Grapevine (names removed), see below:
*What is this Corfu they're showing on TV? Who are these people? It's like a different place to the one i lived in for 14 years. What was the point of the silly girls singing? They have nothing to do with Corfu. Where are the real people? Am I the only one that feels like this?
*well with corfu being the most expensive fuel in europe, least the posh boat owners are paying their bit in taxes running them around
*We sometimes eat at a taverna at Agni. One afternoon, when the restaurant was very busy, a large group of obviously wealthy (and very posh) Brits arrived and tables and chairs appeared from everywhere to accommodate the group! I remember thinking they wouldn't have done the same for us plebs, lol!
* Look all you people whinging ! some people are successful in life and others not so ! it`s the same anywhere in the world ! doh ! those that are successful have decided that our beautiful corfu is an ideal place for their home or 2nd home !
* My goodness, that was difficult to read! Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You've quite comprehensively given yours.Of course the rich are part of the island, but many, many thousands more visit that this elite group.
*of course everyone is entitled to their opinion but there's a lot of jealousy out there from what i have read ( at least it seems that way !) please correct me if i am wrong ! i don't feel entitled to make an opinion myself until i have seen the whole series ! that`s why i wasn`t going to make a comment ! but it`s getting a bit too much on here now ! lol and good morning
* i`m quite sure you will see the kavos end in the next few episodes
that will show a different light ! ( maybe ) who knows ? after all it is titled the tale of 2 islands ! and not ex-pats as it was supposed to be ! as there was too much doom and gloom on the film footage ! that`s why it`s ended up like this ! but after all it`s tv isn`t it ! you never get the whole truth on tv ! or do you >? lol* I've not commented on this yet wanted too see all 8 episodes first.. I just have to say tho that these "Rich People" with there big fancy villa's employ... maids, housekeepers, gardeners, cooks, pool man, rental cars, taxis, laundry companies, their guests use local taverna's, local supermarkets etc etc.. seems to me that without them on this Island a lot of people would be out of work!!! Just saying!!
*The odd few people who are bleating on about people commenting and how we should wait for the whole series to air....so we should not comment and miss out on this healthy debate? Also if we adhere to your instructions to keep our gobs shut til the end ...most of us would have forgotten about what was in the first few episodes
( well I will have anyway )*anyway money doesnt make u happy but its nice to be sad sailing round the greek Islands
* True, all people have their problems. I believe as long as people are honest, respectful, kind, thoughtful, true etc. I would have them as a friend irrespective of how much or little money they have. No one should be judged on their wealth.
*Tonight's tale of two islands.....what a load of bollocks....... We don't all need a million dollars to enjoy the island, much better to be the 80 year old couple enjoying the everyday corfiot hospitality....
*last night was 2 thirds the kensington-on-sea elite group and only a little bit on the rest............I am enjoying it don't get me wrong but i'd like to see more about the down to earth everyday stuff...there is SO much they could be covering...
*it's not a horrendous experience being married to my husband...thats cos he knows I'M the BOSS...lol
*There is no shortage of strong independent women on this island thats for sure.
*That's true. I'am married to one of them If you don't believe me ask her, LOL
*I hope you weren't thinking i was saying its horrendous being married to a greek??!!! I wasn't saying that!!! I have been happily married to a greek for 20 years and he and his family are the best i could have wished for..i have been very fortunate. I was saying that that is how it was portrayed in the first episode...and not all situations are the same.
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