Losing your home is a difficult challenge. Navigating the paperwork involved can be just as hard as enduring the event itself. But don’t despair, because the government has established several ways to obtain compensation for destroyed housing and other property. There are also international mechanisms that allow you to document the damage even when a government program isn’t an option. This applies both to compensation for housing destroyed during the war and to cases where the damage is partial.
On this page, we provide guidance on where to turn and what to do. Here you’ll find the procedure for obtaining compensation for destroyed housing and other property, as well as answers to more complex questions (inheritance, multiple owners, occupied territory). Details are available in separate articles on our blog.
If your situation requires an individual review, a compensation lawyer from the PravoVsim platform will help you gather documents and prepare your application for free. Your request is completely confidential - no information will be shared with third parties without your consent.
Mechanisms for Obtaining Compensation
Payments for Repairing Damaged Housing
If a home is damaged but remains structurally intact and can be repaired, the eVidnovlennia Commission determines the category of damage and awards payments for the damaged home. The amount is up to 200,000 UAH for routine repairs (Category A) or up to 350,000–500,000 UAH in two installments for major repairs (Category B). Information about the damage is entered into the registry of damaged property, and the funds are credited to a special eVidnovlennia card.
Housing Certificate for Destroyed Housing
If a home is completely destroyed, the owner receives a housing certificate instead of money for repairs. This is the name given to the electronic document in the “Diia” app, which can be used to pay for the purchase of a new apartment or house, or as a down payment on a preferential “eOselya” mortgage. The compensation certificate for lost housing is valid for 5 years, and the property purchased with it cannot be sold during that period.
Rebuilding Destroyed Housing on One’s Own Land
Owners of private homes who still have a land plot in a safe area may choose a cash payment for the construction of a new home instead of a certificate. Compensation for destroyed housing is paid in two installments - after the start and after the completion of construction work.
Issues Regarding Compensation
Remote Inspection of Destroyed Property
A situation may arise where a home is located in an active combat zone. In such cases, it is impossible for a commission to visit the site due to the danger, so a remote inspection is conducted using satellite imagery, drone photos, or materials provided by the owner. This method of documenting damage grants the same right to compensation as a standard on-site inspection. The key is to gather photos, videos, and testimonies from neighbors regarding the moment of the strike.
Inheritance of a Destroyed Residence
It is possible to receive compensation for the property of a deceased owner, but you must formalize the inheritance of the destroyed residence. You should contact a notary, open an inheritance case, and, after the six-month period has elapsed, obtain a certificate of inheritance. Ownership must be confirmed in the state registry, after which you can apply for compensation.
Compensation for Multiple Co-owners
Previously, the lack of consent from even one co-owner would block the entire claim. Now, one co-owner can file the claim, and it is considered filed on behalf of all co-owners unless the others object within 15 days. This significantly simplifies the process of obtaining compensation for damaged property for families who jointly own an apartment or house.
Compensation through the International Mechanism (RD4U)
Separate from government programs, there is an international damage registry (RD4U) - a mechanism for documenting war damage for future reparations. You can submit a claim under the category of damaged or destroyed housing regardless of whether you have received compensation from the government or not. The registry does not determine the amount of compensation but merely records the application and supporting evidence.
What legal assistance do we provide free of charge?
Thanks to the support of international donors, we provide free legal assistance regarding compensation. The services listed below will cost you nothing:
- Consultations on mechanisms for obtaining compensation. We’ll analyze your situation and help you choose the best course of action - repair payments, a housing certificate, or the international registry of damages.
- Gathering and restoring necessary evidence. We will help you restore title documents if the originals were lost or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
- Preparation and submission of compensation claims. We’ll guide you through the entire process via “Diy” or the Administrative Service Center (ASC), from the initial notification to the compensation claim.
- Appealing inaction and commission decisions. We’ll protect your rights if your compensation claim is denied or if a commission has unjustifiably suspended consideration of your application.
You can request one of these services or seek assistance with multiple issues at once. A compensation lawyer will step in at the stage where you need help.
In which regions of Ukraine do we provide free legal assistance?
Residents of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions often find it more difficult to gather documents on their own or to reach a Center for Administrative Services. PravoVsim’s lawyers advise residents of all regions of Ukraine, including frontline regions where the destruction is most severe.
Consultations are available remotely. You can reach out regardless of where you are right now - in Ukraine or abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is legal assistance with compensation claims really free?
Yes. Consultations, document preparation, and case management are funded by international donors. The assistance is completely free for the applicant.
Do you provide assistance if I am currently abroad?
Yes, we offer remote support. You can consult with a lawyer via video call or by phone, regardless of the country where you are located.
What should I do if the Restitution Commission has denied my claim?
A denial is not always a final decision. Our lawyer will review the grounds for the denial and help correct any errors in the records or documents. If necessary, they will explain how to appeal the commission’s decision.
Step-by-step instructions by topic:
- how to receive compensation for damaged housing;
- how to obtain a housing certificate for destroyed housing;
- what to do if the commission does not review a compensation claim;
- compensation for destroyed housing for co-owners;
- how to register housing in the State Register of Real Estate;
- compensation for housing in occupied territory;
- whether a new owner can receive compensation.
