Since March 1, Russia may be deprived of housing for violating the rights of neighbors

Starting March 1, 2023, property owners in Russia may be deprived of their ownership of objects if they do not use them for their intended purpose, do not take care of the property, or violate the rights of neighbors. The Civil Code was amended accordingly.

If the owner uses the premises for other purposes, allows it to collapse, or systematically violates the interests of neighbors, a warning may be sent to him, as well as a deadline for repairs, if necessary. If the owner does not correct the violations, the authorized body may initiate the sale of property at an auction through the court.

Vyacheslav Klimov, a lawyer at the Asterisk law firm, explained that such rules have existed since 2004, but until March 1, 2023 they only applied to relations between the tenant and the landlord, and now they also apply to property owners.

When establishing violations, the court can now sell the premises at auction and pay the owner the proceeds. The lawyer also noted that the complaint must be supported by evidence, such as testimony from neighbors or a protocol on an administrative offense. The main criteria for seizure of property are the severity and regularity of violations, and the degree of violations is determined in each case separately.

It is emphasized that one-time violations, such as listening to music at the wrong time or repairs, are not sufficient to seize property.