• Þórkatla hopes conditions will soon allow for normal habitation in Grindavík.

• The state of danger and legal responsibility are reasons overnight stays are not currently possible.

• Those who transfer ownership to Þórkatla can store their belongings there for now.

• Over 40 homeowners have signed agreements to maintain and store possessions in their properties.

According to legal requirements, property owners, in this case Þórkatla, bear significant responsibility for safety within their properties. It is based on this responsibility that the decision was made to prohibit overnight stays in the company’s properties in Grindavík at this time. This decision will be reassessed once magma accumulation in the Sundhnúkur craters ceases and the risk of an eruption has diminished, as assessed by scientists.

Þórkatla recognizes the importance of restarting the development of Grindavík and hopes conditions for normal habitation will be restored as soon as possible. At that point, the company will begin selling and leasing the properties it has acquired in Grindavík, in addition to expanding caretaker agreements. Currently, around 40 such agreements have been made, though Þórkatla now owns approximately 920 properties in the town.

The caretaker agreements are collaborative arrangements for property upkeep, minor maintenance, and general monitoring. These agreements grant individuals access to the homes purchased by Þórkatla, allowing them to store belongings or use the property as a caretaker. This approach enables former homeowners to maintain a connection to their properties while relieving Þórkatla of traditional property management responsibilities during this period.

Þórkatla staff closely monitor discussions about Grindavík’s rebuilding and strive to respond to suggestions for improvements. As highlighted in Pétur Hafsteinn Pálsson’s article in Morgunblaðið today, some residents have reportedly disposed of part of their household belongings due to a lack of storage space. It is acknowledged that better planning for storage solutions would have been preferable, but there was significant pressure on Þórkatla to expedite property purchases so that residents of Grindavík could secure alternative housing.

Currently, sellers who have not yet transferred ownership to Þórkatla may sign a caretaker agreement, allowing them to continue storing some of their belongings on-site.