State property can be transferred for accommodation of displaced persons: Zelenskyy signs law

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law that unblocks the transfer of state and communal property for lease to accommodate internally displaced persons.

This refers to Law No. 5005-IX, adopted on the basis of draft law No. 15579. The document card on the Verkhovna Rada website states that on October 5 the law was returned to parliament with the president's signature. The Verkhovna Rada adopted it on September 17.

The law is intended to eliminate a legal conflict that prevented state and communal housing facilities from being fully transferred for organizing accommodation of displaced persons. This includes entire buildings, dormitories, and other objects suitable for living.

For this purpose, until January 1, 2028, the effect of the provision of the law "On Lease of State and Communal Property" is suspended, which excluded from its scope relations regarding the lease of housing of the state housing fund and housing fund of territorial communities. This very change was previously explained by the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development.

The new mechanism allows transferring the relevant objects to legal entities, institutions, and establishments for further accommodation of IDPs. For such projects, a symbolic rent may be applied – 1 hryvnia. As reported by Ukrinform, the law creates a legal basis for transfer of such objects without auctions for the needs of displaced persons.

At the same time, this does not mean that an individual can rent a state apartment for 1 hryvnia. The mechanism is primarily designed for transfer of objects to organizations and institutions that will subsequently use them for temporary accommodation of IDPs.

The relevant parliamentary committee previously noted that the changes should expand opportunities for communities to use state and communal property for housing needs of displaced persons. This also simplifies implementation of projects with international donors, when ready or renovated premises need to be legally documented for people's accommodation.