Unfinished houses in the Med why?

Question

Why do they not finish building their houses in mediterranean? Most of them seem to have roofs partially finished

Answer 1

Because they are lazy gites.

Answer 2

This question came up once while we were on a coach trip out on the Greek island of Crete, where so many houses were left partially finished. Our Greek rep did tell us this, but I can't remember exactly. I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that if it doesn't have a roof they don't pay any rent or tax on the land or building on it until it is actually fully completed, so they just start building the ground floor with what they can afford to pay and don't build the remainder until they can afford to live in it, which takes years or decades. If that makes any kind of sense at all (!!!) My memory is probably playing tricks on me here (!!) Maybe someone from the Med could explain it to me again in detail...

Answer 3

In some mediterranean countries its because the final payment has not been made to the builder to complete the house, therefore the builder leaves the roof unfinished so the so called purchaser cannot move in

Answer 4

it's to do with paying tax - there is less/no tax on unfinished houses - some of the 'unfinished' houses' owners have no intentions of ever doing more to the property