How vacant houses are given a second life in Postavy district
The working trip of the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, authorized representative of the Head of State in the Vitebsk region, Igor Sergeenko, to Postavy district began with a question about involving unused property in economic circulation and reducing the number of vacant houses. This difficult topic was discussed at a meeting of the district executive committee.
Property must work
In 2025, it was planned to involve 41 real estate objects in economic circulation in the Postavy district. These are buildings, premises, and outbuildings that were not used or were used inefficiently for various reasons. Decisions were made to sell each object through an auction. Bidding was held regularly. As a result, 5 objects were successfully put into circulation. Additionally, a large premises with an area of over 550 square meters was sold in the district center. The total amount from the sale of unused objects amounted to almost 650 thousand rubles.
The district budget revenues from property sales amounted to 185 percent of last year's level.
A separate area is rental. As of the beginning of 2026, over 5 thousand square meters of communal property are leased. A significant part of the areas is transferred to small and medium-sized businesses. Over the year, rental payments amounted to almost 200 thousand rubles.
A striking example is the building of the former bathhouse in the center of Postavy. The new owner, Woodman LLC, intends to create a multifunctional shopping complex here, which is much needed by the city. The project also involves the creation of new jobs. Thus, the vacant building will get a new life.
Attention to rural areas
Special attention at the meeting was paid to working with vacant houses in rural areas.
Since 2023, 363 houses have been included in the register of vacant houses. More than half of them have already been excluded – some have been demolished, others sold, and still others have been brought into proper condition by their owners.
Last year, 62 houses were put into economic circulation, exceeding the target of 51. 35 houses were demolished, and 27 were sold, with 23 of them sold for a single base value. This mechanism not only helps to get rid of dilapidated buildings but also attracts new residents.
Houses were sold most actively in suburban rural councils. One example is the provision of a land plot free of charge in the agro-town of Yunki, effectively a suburb of Postavy. Here, a young family acquired a plot where a dilapidated house had previously been demolished and built new housing in its place. Today, the lights are on in the windows again.
Border area challenges
The Postavy district is a border district, which imposes its own specifics. In many villages, the owners or heirs of houses live in Lithuania. Communication with them is often difficult, and sent notifications remain unanswered. This complicates the legal procedure for declaring houses as vacant.
As of the beginning of the year, there are 165 vacant houses on the register. More than 100 of them have already been declared for demolition, but there are insufficient funds to carry out all the work. In 2026, 90,000 rubles are allocated for demolition, which will be enough for approximately 30 properties.
Priority will be given to the Lintup, Kamai, and Kuropoly rural councils, where the largest number of vacant buildings in the border zone are concentrated.
"In this matter, a reasonable balance between the interests of individuals and the state must be maintained," noted Igor Sergeenko.
Forward-looking work
In 2026, the district plans to bring 36 real estate objects and 66 vacant houses into economic circulation. Seven objects are included in the plan for the first time, including the former kindergarten building, warehouse premises, and a bathhouse in the agro-town of Paris.
The task has been set to more actively inform potential buyers, post photos of properties on the district executive committee's website, and expand work through online platforms.
Following the meeting, the work of the specialized services for 2025 was deemed satisfactory. At the same time, emphasis was placed on strengthening control, accelerating document processing, and the personal responsibility of managers.
So that houses are not empty
Igor Sergeenko took part in the district meeting "Labor Postavshchina," dedicated to the results of the socio-economic development of the district.
Summing up the day, Igor Sergeenko noted:
– Several events were held today, including an open meeting of the district executive committee, which considered an important issue – the involvement of unused property in economic circulation and the demolition of empty and dilapidated houses. This is an important topic for all rural districts of our country. In the Postavy district, this work is organized and is being carried out at an acceptable level. Questions arise about simplifying the work due to the long search for potential homeowners. For the legislative initiatives, which are being considered in parliament today, to be implemented, it is necessary to involve those who are engaged in this work on the ground – land management services, village councils.
Behind the dry figures are the fates of villages. Each sold house is a chance for a new family, and a restored building is a step towards the development of the village.