In these territories of Baku, demolition of houses begins without compensation

In Baku, the situation with illegal construction is escalating: more and more unauthorized buildings are under threat of demolition.

Obtaining property rights for such buildings is possible only in rare cases. Particularly vulnerable are buildings constructed in special purpose zones - on oil fields, territories of military and industrial importance, along railways, and in protected areas. Owners of such properties typically cannot count on compensation from the state.

Real estate expert Mulkadar Rustamov told Globalinfo.az that houses built before 2007 with municipal documents have chances for legalization. However, buildings constructed after this period are considered on a case-by-case basis, with location remaining the key factor.

A particularly difficult situation is observed in the Darnagyul and Binagadi districts, where houses are built on illegally seized plots near the railway. Residents of these areas often become victims of fraudsters who promise to process documents for housing that is knowingly illegal.

According to Rustamov, the state takes a tough stance: houses without permits and documents are not subject to legalization. Dismantling of some illegal structures has already begun, and large-scale continuation of demolitions is expected in the near future.

A decree adopted in October 2023, prohibiting the installation of gas, water, and electricity meters in houses without legal documents, confirms the authorities' determination to fight chaotic development. According to official data, there are over 500 thousand houses without documents in Baku, but the real number could be significantly higher, as one meter often serves several buildings.

Illegal construction puts serious pressure on urban infrastructure. Water supply, sewage, and electricity networks designed for a limited number of users cannot cope with overloads, especially during the autumn-winter period, leading to accidents and flooding.

According to Rustamov, the most active illegal construction today is taking place in the Bina settlement of the Khazar district. Here, fraudsters continue to build houses without permits and sell them to trusting citizens. However, according to the expert, state intervention has already begun, and the fate of these buildings is predetermined.

Owners of legal houses with proper documentation can be at ease. But for hundreds of thousands of residents of illegal buildings, the threat of demolition is becoming increasingly real.