Press release , November 11, 2013

On November 28, 2013, deputies of the Pskov regional parliament adopted the law on organization of overhaul of apartment buildings located in the Pskov region.

The Committee on Legislation, Economic Policy and Local Government did a large job processing the bill. Lev Shlosberg, Deputy Chairman of the Committee and leader of the Pskov YABLOKO branch, prepared a package of amendments on eight sheets for the first meeting of the working group and these amendments formed the basis for the new version of the law.

Shlosberg’s amendments create conditions for accumulating funds for repairs on an independent account of the house, expand the list of works, reinforce control over regional operator and give MPs the right to control officials.

Lev Shlosberg commented the adopted law as follows:

“Before the November session of the parliament we introduced numerous fundamental amendments into the law aimed at protecting the rights of citizens…

The Pskov region has adopted one of the best regional laws on overhaul, and it should be noted that not only professionals, but also ordinary citizens participated in the development of the law on my request. However, this law comes much too late in Russia: it had to be adopted 20 years ago, when privatization of housing was taking place. But the state acted as a bad boss, and now we are reaping the consequences of all this. A system for overhaul of apartment blocks which would be responsible to the citizens should be established jointly by the state and the people and in favour of the people. All the obligations of the regional operator should be recognized as a public offer which unconditionally guarantees the rights of homeowners. I am confident that the Regional Assembly will continue the work over the law, as the situation obliges us to take very carefully to the beginning of its implementation”.