Until now, more than 51% of apartment owners had to support any improvements in an apartment building. The amendments foresee that if the quorum is not sufficient at the first meeting, a minority can decide on the issue at the next meeting.
"What we are seeing now is that a big problem is that in a very large proportion of the surveys or meetings that are carried out, half of [owners] do not participate at all. So we believe that this is a big step to get results and to move forward," said the RNP spokesperson.
According to him, in two-thirds of the cases so far, decisions on house renovation are not taken because of the lack of quorum.
"So the minority vote plays an important role in defending this active minority, people's rights, and their desire to live in energy-efficient and renovated homes. So we expect a breakthrough [in the renovation of houses]," the RNP spokesperson said.
He noted that, for example, only 90 houses in Riga were renovated last year with the support of the finance institution Altum. There are 11,000 apartment buildings in Riga. Renovation of apartment buildings, according to Paurs, is on the rise throughout the country.
"Renovation rates in Latvia are several times behind the rate we need to reach climate neutrality targets. (...) So the pace has to be increased several times. We see this as the basis for a major breakthrough. Of course, there are other things," said Paul.
The relevant amendments to the law will enter into force on November 1 this year.
