Lower house backs bill criminalizing occupancy of unfinished apartment buildings

According to the chamber's press service, the bill responds to a growing number of cases in which people have been living in multi-apartment buildings that have neither been fully constructed nor officially commissioned for use.

Lawmakers said the proposed legislation is intended to strengthen preventive measures, improve public safety, and increase accountability within the construction sector.

The draft law introduces amendments to the Criminal Code establishing direct criminal liability for construction managers and other responsible officials who permit citizens to occupy unfinished multi-apartment buildings.

It also proposes changes to the Urban Planning Code, requiring developers and contractors to take all necessary measures to prevent people from moving into residential buildings that have not been formally accepted into operation under the established procedure.

The bill has now been forwarded to the Senate for consideration. If approved, it will require the president's signature before entering into force.

The initiative follows another construction-related bill approved by the Senate last week. That legislation would strengthen state oversight of the construction sector by introducing fines of up to 450 base calculating amounts for unauthorized construction – equivalent to UZS 185.4 million – as well as prison terms of up to five years for repeat offenders. It also expands the powers of the Construction Inspectorate.