Compensation for damaged jointly owned property: what has changed for co-owners in 2026

In 2026, Ukraine changed the rules for compensation for damaged housing for co-owners. Find out who can now apply for eVidnovlennya, how co-owners' objections work, and what new responsibilities are imposed on the recipient of compensation

Insure your apartment and property against damage, destruction, and theft in 5 minutes

INSURE

On January 5, 2026, updated rules for providing compensation for damaged housing under the eVidnovuvannya program came into force in Ukraine. The changes are aimed at solving one of the most pressing problems of the program—payments in cases of joint ownership, which were often delayed or blocked altogether due to a lack of agreement between co-owners.

The updated procedure details the application process, the mechanism for interaction between co-owners, and clearly defines the responsibilities of the compensation recipient. Experts from the Legal Advisor for IDPs explain the key innovations.

Why was it necessary to change the rules?

In practice, the program has repeatedly encountered situations where one of the co-owners was absent, did not respond to communications, or refused to give consent on principle. As a result, even obviously damaged housing could not receive compensation for months.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reviewed the approach to co-owners' consent and introduced a more flexible model, in which active objection, rather than silent blocking, becomes key.

How the system worked before

Until 2026, there was a rule that an application submitted by one co-owner required the mandatory written consent of the other owners. The only exception was when the co-owner was a foreigner or a stateless person. In practice, this meant:

● delays in the consideration of applications;

● the inability to collect all signatures;

● the actual blocking of compensation without clear deadlines.

Who can submit an application now

Under the new rules, in the case of joint ownership, any of the co-owners can submit an application for compensation.

If the other owners do not raise any objections within the established time frame, such an application is automatically considered to have been submitted on behalf of all co-owners. At the same time, the person receiving the funds assumes responsibility for organizing and carrying out the restoration work.

This is a key change that allows the process to move forward even in the absence of active communication between co-owners.

How the objection mechanism works

The new procedure clearly spells out the process for filing objections for the first time. Each co-owner has the right to file a written objection in any form within 15 days of the application being submitted.

If at least one objection is received by the commission, compensation will be denied. In this case, all further disputes between co-owners must be resolved by agreement or in court.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Confirmation of notification of co-owners

Another important condition is the mandatory confirmation that the co-owners have been notified of the application. The following must be added to the package of documents:

● notification of delivery of a registered letter;

● a note of refusal to receive it;

● or other evidence of proper notification.

The logic of the wording has also been changed: instead of a strict requirement for “consent,” there is now an alternative — the possibility to file an objection. If a co-owner has not provided either consent or objection, the commission has the right to decide on compensation without their response.

New responsibilities of the compensation recipient

In cases of joint ownership, the recipient of the funds has an additional clear responsibility:

● to ensure that the restoration work is carried out;

● to act in accordance with the approved checklist;

● not to exceed the amount of compensation received.

In fact, the state places responsibility on the applicant not only for receiving funds, but also for the actual restoration of the dwelling.

Tip: even after receiving compensation, the restoration of a dwelling is often associated with additional risks — from repeated damage to household accidents. That is why owners are increasingly choosing express property insurance, which allows them to quickly protect their apartment. Ukrainians can take out such a policy online through Visit Ukraine — this helps to minimize financial risks without complicated procedures.

We remind you! The war has caused massive destruction to Ukraine's housing stock. Read about how much housing has been destroyed due to russian aggression, how many Ukrainians have lost their homes, and how the state plans to rebuild the country.

Photo: UNIAN

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.