Proposal to amend Building Management and Maintenance Act introduced into Parliament

(Hina) - Under a new proposal by the Croatian government, owners of apartments will need the prior approval of two-thirds of homeowners in the same building if they wish to rent out their apartment on a short-term basis.

The proposal to amend the Building Management and Maintenance Act was introduced into Parliament on Thursday.

The bill aims to improve the management and maintenance of buildings, covering residential, mixed-use, commercial, and other types of buildings. Under the bill, a unique identification number will be assigned to  homeowners' associations, which will acquire legal personality. This will lead to the creation of a Register of Homeowners' Associations.

Among others, the bill outlines the minimum amount and methods of payment for the common reserve fund, the management of buildings and the related  rights, obligations, and responsibilities of building managers, homeowners’ representatives, and homeowners themselves.

It provides details of the process of obtaining homeowners’ consent for short-term rentals and rentals for multiple tenants, specifying that apartment owners will need written consent from a two-thirds majority of homeowners (initially set at 80% in the first draft). An additional requirement is that all homeowners whose walls, floors, or ceilings border the apartment to be rented out must also give their consent.

The bill introduces the concept of quiet and peaceful activities allowed in residential buildings. Any other activities will require a change of use and the consent of a two-thirds majority of homeowners, as well as the approval of neighbouring residents.

A novelty in the bill is that the government will subsidise the installation of elevators in multi-residential buildings under specific programs, and will assist local government units in renovating building facades, particularly in historic city centres, due to graffiti or lack of maintenance,  Construction Minister Branko Bačić said.

News | Information