By mid-November, 37,000 applications for legalization

By November 15, 37,000 applications for the legalization of illegally constructed buildings have been submitted, reported today in Sisak the Minister of Construction and Spatial Planning Anka Mrak – Taritaš at a meeting with several hundred farmers.

For farmers in the Sisak-Moslavina County, the legalization of illegally constructed buildings, primarily agricultural buildings, has become a huge problem, as most are insufficiently informed about the legalization process, and the most inquiries from farmers were about the relatively high cost of legalization.

In response to questions about these amounts, the minister noted that a significant portion of the total cost is the obligation to pay the communal contribution, which is determined by local government units. She believes that cities and municipalities should allow the payment of the communal contribution in installments over five years with a one-year grace period.

To enable their citizens to carry out the legalization process as painlessly as possible, some municipalities have already proposed that the communal contribution be a symbolic one kuna, said Minister Mrak – Taritaš.

She warned that the deadline for the legalization of buildings for which demolition orders have been issued is the end of this year, while for others it is until June 30 of next year.

Although excavators will not demolish agricultural buildings, she urged farmers to check the paperwork for their buildings and to decide on legalization as soon as possible.

“The longer citizens wait for legalization, the more complex it will become and the greater the financial burden will be. Additionally, farmers with unlegalized buildings will pay a different tax and will not be able to use agricultural subsidies. Therefore, we in the ministry will strive to create the most favorable conditions for submitting applications,” she noted.

In Sisak-Moslavina County, as reported by County Prefect Marina Lovrić Merzel, 260 applications for legalization have been submitted, and about 40 percent have already been resolved or are in the process of being resolved.

The county prefect’s announcement that Sisak-Moslavina County will subsidize each legalization process with 5,000 kuna was received with approval.

During discussions with farmers, Minister Anka Mrak – Taritaš visited the agricultural estate of Ivan Kukurić in Gušću. The owner of the estate, who submitted an application for legalization, acquainted her with the problems faced by farmers in this process.