Recognition of property rights: the story of Tetiana from Sumy region

During a field visit to the Khmeliv community in the Sumy region, DRC lawyers met Tetiana. She sought assistance because she had been unable to officially register the house where she had lived for many years.

In 2014, Tetiana and her ailing mother moved to another village to escape domestic violence. There, she agreed to purchase a small house, handed the seller the money in the presence of witnesses, and received a handwritten receipt. However, the man who was supposed to formalize the documents with a notary later left the village, and it became impossible to contact him.

Tetiana continued living in the house, but she could not officially register ownership. When the full-scale war began, she grew increasingly worried that without proper documents, her home would not be protected.

A DRC lawyer helped Tetiana collect all the necessary certificates and witness statements, prepared the paperwork, and filed a lawsuit. In October 2025, the court issued a positive decision — the purchase agreement was recognized as valid, and Tetiana became the rightful owner of her home.

Now she finally has peace of mind and confidence that her house is legally hers.

DRC provides free legal aid in Sumy region thanks to funding from the European Union's humanitarian aid programme.