Water and sewer connections
In Cyprus, the cold water is paid as per actual consumption and by the meter. A small fixed amount is included in the bill.
The rates are progressive, meaning that the less water you use, the less it will cost. However, starting from 120 cubic meters per 4 months (1 cubic meter per day), a higher rate will apply.
If you use the water sparingly, the monthly consumption will be below the established threshold. For example, if there is a family of four people living in an apartment, the average consumption of water will amount to 0.6 cubic meters per day, so the total cost of water consumption per month will about around 25-30 euros per month. If the same family lives in a house with a lawn and a swimming pool, the water consumption will amount to about 0.8 cubic meters per day, thus increasing the monthly water consumption cost to 40-45 euros.
If, however, you would like to purchase a house with a large plot of land, it will be more efficient to drill a water well and enjoy your own water supply free of charge.
There is no centralized hot water supply on Cyprus, that is why water heating must be arranged individually. This requires the necessary equipment – tanks for cold and hot water, a boiler, a pubmp and a solar panel. This set up works the following way – the pump draws cold water from the tank, it is heating by the solar panel and is deposited in the hot water tank. During the cold months, the water is heated using the boiler.
Electricity
You can choose one of the two tariffs for domestic use:
- One rate, when the price for energy is the same, regardless of the time of day
- Double rate, when the energy costs less at night time than during the day
The double rate tariff is very beneficial for home owners, who use electric heaters with the function of heat accumulation. Such heaters are usually turned off at night, therefore it will cost less.
Electricity on Cyprus is relatively inexpensive.
Average monthly energy bill for a family of 4 amounts to 50-60 euros. If a family lives in a large house with a swimming pool, the average expenses increase to around 140 euros per month.
Coolingandheating
Cyprus enjoys a very warm climate and the cost season lasts for only 3 months: from mid-December till mid-March. During this time, it is necessary to ensure the proper heating. This can be done either by using energy (electric radiators, heated floors) or using gas/diesel (applies for houses with boilers that run on fuel)
During the summer, it gets quite hot on Cyprus, it is therefore necessary to ensure the proper cooling.
The total cost for cooling and heating depend on the individual consumption, but on average do not exceed 1500 euros/ year.
Telephone and internet
There are a couple of popular internet-providers on the island, the most popular of which: MNT, CYTA, Primetel. You can see the updated tariff plans on the websites of companies.
On average the monthly fee for landline phone, digital TV and Internet amounts to 40-50 euros/month.
Expenses for the use of common areas
If you are an owner of an apartment in a town house or a residential complex, that features a swimming pool or a garden, then all residents of the complex/townhouse jointly pay for the maintenance expenses of the adjacent territory and the swimming pool. These expenses usually include: services of a gardener, cleaning staff, pool maintenance, watering of the plants and green areas, electricity for lighting the premises, elevators’ maintenance. Usually these expenses do not exceed 80 euros per month, while if there is no garden or swimming pool on the premises, the cost amounts to 20-25 euros.
If, however, you are an owner of a house, you do not have such expenses. However, there will be expenses for the maintenance of the garden/swimming pool. If you can look after the garden yourself, pool cleaning will cost around 100 euros per month during the summer.
Other expenses
Each household has to pay around 100 euros/year for garbage disposal and 80 euros/year for the sewerage to the municipality.
Some municipalities charge a tax for various infrastructure projects.
Insurance
Real estate insurance covers all damages incurred due to force-majeure situations, including from an earthquake and fire, to a robbery. The insurance will cost around 0.16% of the total insured sum per year.