27 December, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. It is possible to rent an apartment from the Vitebsk City Executive Committee for an average of Br500 thousand plus utility payments, stated Viktor Nikolaikin, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, at a press conference, answering a question from a BELTA correspondent. The city authorities rent out about twenty apartments, which are on the budget balance, to those in need. The rental cost depends on the living space area, but the average price is about half a million Belarusian rubles per month. The lease agreement is typically concluded for a long term and, if the tenant complies with its terms and wishes, it is extended. Information on available rental apartments can be found on the city executive committee's website, and one can become a candidate for occupancy by submitting documents to the "One Window" service. In 2013, the first rental apartment building with 120 apartments will be laid in Vitebsk. Br16 billion is allocated from the regional budget for its construction. Citizens registered as needing housing will be the primary candidates for rental apartments. As of early December, 31,077 people are on the waiting list for housing improvement in Vitebsk. Due to changes in legislation and clarification of data on those in need, the waiting list has decreased by more than 2,000 people. Another 1,200 people have been removed from the list due to housing improvement – they received apartments in exchange for their dilapidated housing subject to demolition. -0-

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