Putin signs law allowing seizure of housing in occupied territories

Russian media report that the law concerns amendments to a Russian federal constitutional law dated December 15, which were approved earlier this month, on December 9 and 10, by Russia’s State Duma and Federation Council.

Under the adopted document, the occupation authorities will be allowed to seize residential houses, apartments, and individual rooms deemed to show "signs of ownerless property." This category will also include property whose owner cannot be identified or cases where valid documents confirming ownership are absent.

After the seizure procedure, such housing will be transferred to the control of the occupation administrations. The law outlines several possible uses of confiscated property: it may be allocated to residents who lost their homes as a result of hostilities, or used as service housing for civil servants, military personnel, officials, law enforcement officers, teachers, and doctors.

In addition, the seized property may be rented out in accordance with Russia’s Housing Code or used to accommodate people officially registered as in need of housing under social rental agreements.

The new rules will remain in force until 2030. If an owner comes forward after the confiscation, they are to be paid monetary compensation; however, this right applies exclusively to citizens of Russia. The procedure for such compensation will be determined by the occupational administration.

Occupiers seizing housing

Earlier, in October, the Russian government officially authorized the appropriation of real estate in the occupied territories belonging to Ukrainians.

In particular, the so-called decision granted occupation administrations the right to declare residential and commercial property "ownerless" and transfer it into state ownership.