AZE.US
Thousands of apartment owners in newly built residential complexes in Baku are still unable to obtain official property ownership documents, commonly known as a “kupcha,” as construction issues and incomplete infrastructure continue to delay the legal registration of buildings.
Residents of a building located on Shirin Mirzayev Street say the construction company has failed to fulfill several commitments made when the apartments were sold. According to the residents, parts of the building and surrounding courtyard remain unfinished, while certain safety-related requirements have not yet been completed.
Buyers say the original project included recreational areas such as sports fields, cycling paths, and landscaped spaces with fountains. However, much of the promised infrastructure has yet to be delivered.
Some residents also expressed concerns about safety conditions inside the building, saying that elements of the fire protection system have not been fully installed.
“If something happens – a fire, for example – we don’t know what the consequences could be,” one resident said.
Why residents cannot obtain property titles
The delay is largely tied to the building’s legal status.
Until a residential building is officially accepted for operation by state authorities, apartment owners cannot receive formal property ownership certificates. The final stage of this process requires confirmation that the building meets construction standards, safety regulations, and all project specifications.
Representatives of the construction company said work is ongoing to address the remaining issues. According to the developer, once the required work is completed and the building is officially commissioned, residents will be able to apply for ownership documents through the relevant government agencies.
The company said the remaining work could be completed in the coming months.
A widespread issue in Baku’s construction boom
Experts note that similar problems affect many newly built residential complexes across Baku, particularly those constructed during the city’s rapid building expansion in recent years.
For a building to receive official operational status, developers must submit several documents, including a commissioning act, technical documentation, and architectural plans. Only after these procedures are completed can residents obtain legal property certificates.
If construction standards are not fully met or parts of the project remain unfinished, the commissioning process can be delayed – leaving apartment owners without official documentation.
Impact on residents
The absence of property titles creates practical problems for homeowners.
Without a “kupcha,” residents cannot officially register their place of residence and may face difficulties accessing certain government services. Property transactions also become complicated, making it harder to sell apartments or use them as collateral.
Officials from Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan said that a building can receive approval for operation only after it complies with all construction and safety requirements.
Authorities also emphasized that responsibility for completing the necessary procedures lies primarily with the developer.
For many residents, however, the result is the same: they are living in apartments they legally purchased, but still waiting for the documents that confirm their ownership.