Dilapidated cultural monuments will rent beginning at RUB 1

The federal law “On the cultural heritage (historical and cultural monuments) of the Russian Federation” may include a new article regarding leases of cultural monuments. The Ministry of Culture, which is drafting an amendment to the legislation, also is developing a procedure for classifying historic structures that are “in an unsatisfactory state.” The ministry explained, in a statement, that the new law would enable individuals and legal persons interested in occupying unused objects of cultural heritage in poor condition to bid, in an open auction, on a forty-nine-year lease, with bidding starting at RUB 1. One stipulation is that the lessor would have seven years to restore the property.

The Conciliation Commission of the State Duma and the Federation Council will consider the proposal. If the motion has their support, it could become law this autumn.

A similar program already is in effect. In January 2012, the Moscow City Government approved regulations that provide special low-cost leases for cultural heritage objects in poor condition. Such regional programs pertain only to properties in the ownership of certain entities of the Russian Federation, but the bill the Ministry of Culture is proposing will apply throughout the country.