BAKU - Basements, attics and other technical areas in an apartment building are intended for common use and cannot be occupied or rented out by one resident acting alone, Azerbaijani real estate expert Mulkadar Rustamov said.
Rustamov told Globalinfo.az that residents may use shared areas for storage or other household needs, and the spaces may potentially be leased for commercial use. Any such decision, however, should be agreed collectively by the property owners.
Owning an apartment does not give a resident the unilateral right to take over part of a basement or attic, keep personal belongings there or collect rental income from the area, he said.
Shared Space Can Generate Income
Rustamov said common areas can produce income if owners agree to lease them. The central issue is who has authority to manage the property and on what basis.
The same principle applies in buildings developed by housing construction cooperatives, known in Azerbaijan as MTKs, he said. Decisions about common premises should involve the owners rather than an individual resident.
Rustamov also said technical areas are not intended for residential use. In some cases, documentation for such space may be possible with the participation of the MTK, but he did not provide details about the legal requirements or approval process.
Many Baku Basements Became Commercial Premises
Some basements in Soviet-era apartment buildings in Baku were originally designed as shelters, the expert said. From the 1990s onward, many were converted into shops and other commercial premises.
The possibility of leasing a basement does not mean any apartment owner may claim it independently. Residents should establish the building’s ownership records and obtain the required collective and legal approvals before using or leasing common property.
Sources: Vesti Baku; Globalinfo.az.