How to get compensation for damaged property/housing

Since May 2023, the “eRestoration” program has been in operation, under which compensation can be awarded for damaged property that needs reconstruction or major repairs as a result of military aggression. Financial assistance is also available to owners of destroyed real estate whose condition no longer allows them to use it for its intended purpose. There are certain rules and conditions that will help you participate in the program.

When compensation is provided

To receive financial or other forms of assistance, you must meet the following requirements:

• compensation for destroyed housing is relevant only for objects on the territory of Ukraine;
• damaged after February 24, 2022 as a result of the actions of the Russian armed forces;
• located in settlements that are not under occupation and are not part of the zone of active hostilities.

An important condition is the availability of information in the Unified State Register. The following objects can participate in the program:

• apartments or residential premises;
• construction objects;
• components of construction projects;
• garden and country houses;
• common property of an apartment building.

Compensation for destroyed housing can be in the form of construction work or the provision of materials necessary for repairs and reconstruction. It is also possible to transfer money to a special account, or to finance the purchase of a house or apartment with a certificate if the property cannot be restored.

Who can receive compensation

Under the current terms and conditions, Ukrainian citizens who are

• owners of the object that was destroyed or damaged;
• customers of construction works if they have the appropriate right to perform them;
• Owners of construction in progress;
• members of housing cooperatives who have made a sale and purchase transaction but have not registered their ownership.

Compensation for destroyed housing is also available to the heirs of the above persons. An association of co-owners of apartment buildings can also apply.

Who cannot receive financial compensation

The restrictions apply to persons subject to the Sanctions Law, as well as those with a criminal record for offenses included in the list of crimes against national security.

How to start the compensation procedure

There are two main ways to receive compensation, allowing property owners to choose the best option. The procedure for obtaining compensation for destroyed housing online:

• Log in to the official Diia portal or the application.
• Click the “Apply” button in the appropriate section.
• Select the desired object.
• Fill out the proposed form.
• Sign it with an electronic signature.

For private houses, it is possible to choose the form in which state aid will be received: when filling in the data, you must specify the bank account eVostok. In other cases, an application for a housing certificate will be automatically generated.

How to get compensation for destroyed housing offline? You can submit a request at a notary or at the nearest ASC. To do this, you must provide the following documents:

• passport, registration number of the taxpayer's account card;
• a statement of property and its damage.

Representatives of privileged categories should also submit the relevant documents. Be sure to indicate the e-mail address to which you will receive a response.

Regardless of the method of application - online or offline, compensation for damaged property requires mandatory reporting of the repair work performed. Receipts for the purchase of materials and photographs of the work performed will serve as evidence.

Important nuances

If the property is jointly owned, the consent and signatures of all co-owners are required when applying for restoration and reconstruction.

The procedure for compensation for destroyed housing does not require a joint application: everyone can apply separately and receive assistance.

If the property is mortgaged

Since the full-scale invasion, the Law on Consumer Lending has been revised to include clauses on the possibility of canceling obligations. This is relevant if the apartment or house used as collateral has been destroyed.

However, the provision of the Law requires additional regulation: compensation for the destroyed property may be accrued to its owner. According to the innovations, the creditor may receive funds to settle the payments, but there is no provision for legal entities - banks or financial institutions - to file an application.

Space limitations

According to Resolution No. 39, which came into force on January 16, 2024, new conditions apply: the state program covers only a certain area. Compensation for destroyed property is available:

• for apartments - no more than 150 square meters;
• for private houses (including garden and country houses) - no more than 200 square meters.

However, the actual area should be recorded in the register. This clause was adopted in order to make it possible to receive the necessary funds from reparations or other sources in the future, if it is provided for.

Refusal to receive compensation

Each application is reviewed by the commission. The reason for a negative response to the application may be the provision of inaccurate information or errors in filling out the application form.

However, if all the information is recorded correctly and in accordance with the established procedure, the request will be reviewed and approved within 30 days, and the property owner will receive compensation for the damaged housing.