Is it prohibited to convert the first floor of a multi-story building into non-residential premises? The Ministry has provided an explanation

Is it about the ban on converting the first floor of multi-story buildings into non-residential premises? The Ministry responded

Reports have spread on social networks suggesting that apartments on the first floor of multi-story buildings can no longer be converted into non-residential premises.

According to the Ministry's explanation, the amendment to the legislation applies only to multi-apartment buildings whose service life, i.e., the time since they were built and commissioned, exceeds 50 years.

Paragraph 11 of the President's decree dated June 4, 2026, states: "In order to strengthen control measures in the operation of multi-apartment buildings: a) carrying out replanning works in multi-apartment buildings with a service life of more than 50 years shall be prohibited, with the exception of reinforcement works; ...".

Accordingly, the processes of issuing permits for replanning works, i.e., carrying out re-specialization and replanning in multi-apartment buildings with a service life of more than 50 years, have been suspended, the ministry's response says.

It is added that relevant permits continue to be issued for carrying out replanning works in multi-apartment buildings with a service life of not more than 50 years.

Earlier, it was proposed to allow adapting apartments on the first floor of multi-apartment buildings for trade and service activities without converting them into the non-residential category.