Owners of derelict houses, which threaten the lives of people, will be imposed a fine of up to BGN 10,000, the government decided.

The minimum fine is set at BGN 1000 under the adopted amendments to the spatial planning law.

The changes come in response to the increasing number of deadly incidents, caused by the collapse of parts of neglected houses.

The most shocking example of such a deadly incident occurred in September last year in downtown Sofia when a building collapsed and took the lives of two young women.

The law changes will also help regulate and develop the real estate properties in areas, largely populated by the Roma and socially vulnerable people.

Socially vulnerable families will be accommodated in flats, to be built and maintained by the state, municipalities or non-profit body corporate. These could also be private properties if the state or the municipality provide the building site for free or allow tax reliefs for the construction.

Source: www.novinite.com