Your Ghost Property: Why an Apartment Purchased Before 2013 Doesn't Exist for the State
Journalist Iryna Poliakova notes that Ukrainians who own real estate may face issues due to the absence of their property rights in the electronic register, especially if the documents were issued before 2013. Before 2013, information about property rights was stored in paper archives of the BTI. This leads to a situation where real estate acquired before this term has no record in the modern electronic State Register of Property Rights (DRRP).
Since the creation of the DRRP in 2013, the registration of property rights has become more transparent, but still, if the property was purchased before this year and no legal actions were taken, it is not present in the registry. Iryna Poliakova states:
“For the digital state, your apartment is a ghost property.” - Iryna Poliakova
This can become a serious problem for owners, as in the event of emergencies, such as shelling, they will not be able to apply for eRecovery.
Main Risks for Property Owners
The main risks that owners of such properties may face include:
- the possibility of fraud;
- complications in obtaining war compensation.
Owners of apartments who do not have confirmation of property rights in the electronic register may be vulnerable to abuses by fraudsters who may attempt to challenge their property rights.
It is important to note that the registration of property rights through the 'Diia' portal is free for properties registered before 2013. This opens up the possibility for owners to update their documents and enter housing into the register without additional costs. However, to avoid potential issues, it is crucial to check your documents and take necessary actions to confirm property rights.
Property owners who purchased their property before 2013 should be particularly attentive to the condition of their documents, as this affects their ability to protect their rights and interests in today's digital society.
This situation highlights the importance of updating registration data to prevent legal issues in the future. In the context of war and country recovery, the ability to obtain compensation and protect one's property becomes critically important for many Ukrainians. Given the free registration through the 'Diia' platform, owners should take advantage of this opportunity to secure their property rights.