The briefing discussed changes to land legislation: what will change for residents and businesses

On 4 March at a briefing in the Government House of the republic Tatarstan Minister of Land and Property Relation Fanil Agliullin told about changes in land legislation enforced from 1 March of the current year. He said that they simplify a number of procedures for land plot owners including expanding the possibilities for land use and changing the rules for changing the category of a plot.

Fanil Agliullin said that new federal law enforced since the beginning of spring in Russia eliminates long-standing legal uncertainty in matters of land use, as well as the transfer of land plots from the state to the ownership of individuals or legal entities.

Previously, legislation prohibited changes to a land lease agreement regarding the type of permitted use. The new law retained this prohibition, but made an exception for land tenants who have entered into comprehensive development agreements. In addition, landowners now have both some restrictions and some concessions in choosing the purposes for which they can use their land.

Another novelty is related to simplification of the division and merger of various land plots as changes in the law permit landowners to choose the purpose for using the merged or divided plots, focusing on the current land use regulations.

Fanil Agliullin also informed that changes in the purposes of using agricultural lands are now regulated by a separate federal law. However, until this law is passed, the regional power bodies make decisions about changes in the purposes of use, he said and told about changes of rules of sales of unclaimed agricultural land and a new procedure of transfer of agricultural land to another category.

For ordinary citizens, all rights to land acquired before the new law came into effect are retained. At the same time, people can choose the purpose of their plot without additional permission from the authorities, and in some situations it is allowed to change the purpose of newly created plots, the regional Minister said but added that businesses are prohibited from changing the purpose of land plots leased or temporarily used by the state or municipality, except in cases of integrated territorial development.

Speaking about summer cottages and garden plots, Fanil Agliullin explained that their owners are now forbidden to arbitrarily change the purpose of summer cottages and garden plots and this regulation is in effect no matter when the plot was allocated. Changes are only possible when owners decide to convert their plot into residential use or if the plot is needed by the state or local authorities, he concluded.