Illegal conversions - Altered homes solution unveiled

After months of discussions, the government yesterday unveiled its plans to introduce a scheme that will allow homeowners to pay a penalty to protect illegally converted parts of their homes from demolition and channel the proceeds toward the creation of more green spaces.

Environment Minister Tina Birbili presented the details of the program, according to which owners can declare areas of homes which were originally planned as balconies, garages or basements but have since been turned into living space, known as “imyipaithroi” (semi-open) in Greek.

In return for paying a penalty, the homeowner will be given documents that will allow him or her to continue using this space for the next 40 years without threat of demolition or further fines.

The size of the penalty will be calculated according to ... continue (from ekathimerini).