What Changes in Housing and Property Laws Were Introduced in 2021?

The pandemic significantly affected the economy and real estate market, so the government implemented several measures to support it last year. We analyze which of these will no longer apply in 2021 and what new changes are effective from January 1st.

Tax Deductions When Selling Real Estate

The NDFL (personal income tax) for sellers who have owned property for three to five years remains the same — 13%. However, you can now lower this tax. In addition to the standard tax deduction, there is a new opportunity to further reduce the taxable amount by using unused deductions for the year.

If you decide to sell property owned for less than three years, you still have options to reduce the tax amount. To do this, use a tax deduction for education expenses or part of an unused social tax deduction for medical treatment.

Tax on Real Estate — Based on Cadastre Value

Starting from the new year, taxes on real estate will be calculated only based on cadastre value. This applies to all regions of Russia except Sevastopol.

The new method will be introduced in two stages: from 2021 to 2023, a preferential calculation with reduced coefficients will be in effect; after that, taxes will be calculated based on full cadastre value if the increase does not exceed 10% per year.

Remote Mode for Real Estate Transactions

The pandemic has affected us all: starting from January 1, 2021, it is now possible to conduct real estate transactions remotely.

Now you can sell, gift property or conclude a contract from a distance. The key requirement is that the process must involve at least two notaries — one from each party involved in the transaction.

New Fire Safety Rules

Changes in fire safety regulations:

• external air conditioner units cannot be installed on staircases or corridors;
• personal belongings must not be stored not only on attics but also on the ground floor of residential buildings;
• candles and unextinguished cigarettes must not be left unattended on balconies;
• gas equipment can only be used if it has undergone technical maintenance.

Changes in Receiving Compensation for Housing and Utilities

It will now be easier to receive compensation for housing and utility services. The main condition is that there should not be a court order against the applicant that has already entered into force.

For comparison: previously, to receive compensation, one had to provide evidence of monthly payments for utilities and have no outstanding debt.

Reinstatement of Enforcement Actions for Housing and Utility Debts

Starting from January 1, 2021, penalties for late payments on housing and utility services will be enforced again. Many debtors risk it — they may lose electricity and water supply.

Reduced Registration Period for Participation Agreements

The registration period for participation agreements will be reduced to five working days, and in electronic form — to three.

Extension of the "Dacha Amnesty" Law for Another 5 Years

The law on "dacha amnesty" has been extended again until March 1, 2026.

Under it, dacha owners can simplify the process of registering rights to residential or garden houses built on land designated for gardening, individual housing construction, or personal subsidiary farming.

Dacha Owners No Longer Required to Call General Meetings

Starting from the new year, the day and time of the annual general meeting and its agenda can simply be included in the charter. Members of the board of directors of SNTs no longer need to notify all members about it.

Exceptions apply to urgent matters that arose unexpectedly and were not specified in the charter.

End of Relaxations on Penalty Payments

During the pandemic, the government allowed developers who froze construction for several weeks to avoid paying penalties for late delivery of objects.

Starting January 2021, all penalty payments returned to the previous regime.

Fines for Delaying Social Object Delivery

Starting from 2021, the government plans to fine developers who miss deadlines for delivering social objects (schools, kindergartens, clinics, and engineering infrastructure) that were planned during the construction of residential complexes.

Currently, this will only affect Moscow.

The article uses materials from the CIAAN.ru website.