Good questions to which I don't know the answers! As I suggested in another post ask Nigel Howarth at Cyprus Property News, he has a wealth of information in this area, is extremely helpful & provides advice for free!
I wouldn’t think the ‘until mortgage term is expired’ part is correct.
I know of some land that was repossessed from a developer and now being sold by the bank.
I also have seen some property that was repossessed, being sold.
The bank would not be able to assign proper costs to the original defaulter, until they realised the value within the property and then deducted that from mortgage+arrears.
As to them paying maintenance.... I think that would be a huge challenge to get them to do so....