Important changes will be made to Russian Federation Civil Code regarding liability for housing damage

Amendments will be made to the Russian Federation Civil Code, according to which the violators will pay for damage to common property.

From autumn 2023, bills for damage to common property in residential buildings, apartment complexes, and cottage settlements will be able to be issued to direct violators of the order.

The relevant Russian Federation Civil Code amendments will come into force on October 1, 2023. The new article 259.4, in particular, provides that the owner, “as a result of whose actions or inaction, additional costs and expenses arise for the maintenance and preservation of common property, is obliged to cover them.”

For example, repair costs will have to be reimbursed if the garbage chute is clogged, graffiti appears at the entrance, the buttons in the elevator are damaged, or there are problems with the sewerage because residents flush cat litter down the toilet. Apartment owners will also reimburse the costs associated with accidents if they did not participate in the general meeting or voted against the current repair of utility networks.