MUP KS: Fines of up to 300 KM for Reporting False Residential Addresses

It is estimated that thousands of people have their place of residence registered in the Sarajevo Canton area, even though they do not live there, reports the Patria news agency.

These are mostly people who live in border areas with Sarajevo Canton. They register a false place of residence in order to exercise the right to medical treatment in Sarajevo, while younger people do it for school scholarships, cheaper public transport tickets, and similar benefits that they cannot obtain in other cantons of the Federation of BiH.

The MUP KS explains to Patria that a false place of residence is a punishable offense. The law stipulates that any citizen who provides inaccurate or untrue information when registering or deregistering their residence or stay will be fined between 30 KM and 300 KM for the misdemeanor.

According to the amended Law on Residence and Stay of Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted last year, when registering a place of residence, a person is obliged to provide proof of ownership or co-ownership or possession of an apartment, house, or other residential facility. A certified lease agreement or a certified sublease agreement, along with a certified proof of ownership or co-ownership or possession of the landlord, is also valid.

A certificate that a dispute over ownership is pending before the competent authority, or that a procedure for legalization or registration of the property, apartment, or house at the address where the residence is being registered has been initiated, may also be useful.

A certified statement from the landlord indicating that the landlord consents to a specific person being registered at their residential address will also be considered valid proof of residence.

And what about those who have third parties registered at their addresses against their will? The MUP explains that such cases should be reported to the police station.

If the report is found to be justified, the MUP will annul such a residence registration decision, explain from the MUP KS, reports Patria.