Government simplifies land registration

According to the World Bank’s ranking of Ease of Doing Business by "Registering ownership," Ukraine took 97th place thereby moving up by 61 positions. This was achieved primarily through adopting a number of regulations that streamline registration of property rights in general, and registration of land ownership, in particular, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

"We are happy about recognition of our achievements by international experts in the field of land reform, which is reflected in concrete figures of the World Bank ranking. Today, however, we work with a view to the future. I hope that next year, Ukraine's performance will be even better and more convincing," said Sergiy Timchenko, Chairman of the State Agency of Land Resources. 

According to World Bank experts, the achievements recognized in the ranking are associated with the active work of the State Agency of Land Resources of Ukraine to improve and optimize the legislation. Analysts say that next year Ukraine will further improve its position in the ranking.

Experts note that State Agency of Land Resources put a considerable effort in implementating land reforms. In early 2013 a new automated system for the national inventory was introduced. The innovation followed steps to simplify procedures registering land, making the process open and easily accessible. Now anyone can find comprehensive information on land parcels on Public Cadastral Map, which has become the most visited state web resource in under a year.

Experts say among the achievements is the elimination of land commissions, which often contained from 7 to 9 officials of various departments. Commission members no direct relation to the allotment of land and the system created a lot of corruption risks.

Government analysts note the radical simplification of the development and harmonization of land documents. An important innovation was the use of the principle of tacit consent during procedure for granting permits, as well as the introduction of administrative liability for failing to review the documentation on schedule and demanding additional documents not required by law.

The number of necessary approvals has been cut. Now papers are issued free of charge at the same time and independently of each other within a period not exceeding 10 days. Most importantly, citizens now can impose administrative liability on officials who violate the legislation during the approval review.