ON SOME HISTORICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF REGULATING ROW HOUSING IN RUSSIA AND KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Row housing has existed since ancient times, offering advantages such as energy efficiency, affordability, and accessibility. Despite these benefits, the legal status of row houses remains ambiguous in both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. While improving this legal framework is not a priority, issues arising from its application are highly relevant to a significant number of people living in such developments. At present, legal practice regarding the classification of row housing varies. In some instances, it is treated as multi-unit residential development, where individual housing blocks are designated as apartments. In other cases, it is considered individual housing development, with residential blocks recognized as shares in a joint ownership structure. Alternatively, there are scenarios in which each block is accorded the status of an independent single-family home. Depending on the status of the residential blocks, the legal status of the land lots beneath them also differs.

The article describes the reasons behind such diverse legal interpretations and their consequences. The author sees the solution to this issue in establishing a unified approach to both row housing and the land lots they occupy. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of applying unified framework to all existing developments through administrative (rather than judicial) procedures. The author suggests that the authority to determine the legal status of row housing should be delegated to local governments and the owners of residential blocks. Additionally, attention must be given to the identification of defining characteristics of a residential block. The author recommends that this responsibility be assigned to professionals with expertise in technical inventory and cadastral registration.