New framework for evictions from May 1 – What changes and how tenants are protected

A new framework for issuing eviction orders comes into effect from May 1, introducing substantial changes in how cases of unpaid rent or expired lease agreements are handled.

The most significant change concerns the acceleration of the process. Eviction orders will now be issued within 20 days from the assignment of the case, covering both outstanding rent and the obligation to return the property to the owner. As Supreme Court lawyer Katerina Fragkaki notes in comments to News24/7, the competent authority is also changing: responsibility is shifting from judges to lawyers, who will now handle the legality check and issue the order.

The key role of the formal notice

Despite this institutional shift, the core structure of the process remains the same. A prerequisite for initiating proceedings, according to Fragkaki, is the sending of a formal out-of-court notice (extrajudicial notice) from the landlord to the tenant. This serves as an official warning, giving the tenant the opportunity either to settle outstanding debts or to vacate the property voluntarily. If there is no compliance, and provided that overdue debts amount to at least one month’s rent, the eviction order process may proceed.

Fast-track procedure

According to Fragkaki, the aim of the new regulation is to speed up the administration of justice and ease the burden on courts. In practice, this means that property owners will be able to recover their properties in a significantly shorter time, reducing the lengthy delays seen in the past.

However, the new framework does not leave tenants unprotected. The right to file an objection against the eviction order is maintained, allowing tenants to present their version of events, challenge potential legal flaws or abusive practices, and raise arguments for any delays in payment, such as health-related issues. In this way, an effort is made to balance faster procedures with the protection of both parties’ rights.

How tenants can protect themselves

In any case, the new reality makes consistency in financial obligations even more critical. Tenants are urged to be particularly diligent in paying rent on time, as the faster process leaves less room for reaction.

At the same time, attention should be paid to any formal notices received, as they constitute the first and decisive step before an eviction order is issued. Timely legal advice may prove crucial in avoiding unfavorable outcomes.

The “Tenant Solvency Registry”

At the same time, the state is moving forward with the creation of a Tenant Solvency Registry, a digital database that will draw information from the myPROPERTY system and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE). Its rollout will begin on a pilot basis, with full implementation expected by 2026.

Through data cross-checking and lease declarations, a basic “consistency profile” will be created for each tenant, which will be taken into account before any new lease agreement. It is clarified that no sensitive personal or financial data will be disclosed, but rather a summary picture of the tenant’s rental behavior.

This platform will allow property owners to assess the reliability of prospective tenants before signing a contract, helping to reduce cases of inconsistency and payment defaults.

Overall, this new tool is part of a broader digital system for monitoring the real estate market, complemented by the Property Ownership and Management Registry (MIDA), with the aim of enhancing transparency and improving market functionality.