UK responds to user on X: Working group appointed to tax second and subsequent apartments, no exact number yet

(Patria) - Although the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Nihad Uk claims that the financial situation of Sarajevo Canton is under control, the KS Government has started collecting data on empty apartments in KS for which owners will pay tax. Although a legal solution is being sought, a working group has already started its work.

“We are finding new resources, rationalizing spending, and staying on the path we have set as the Government of Sarajevo Canton, which is to improve the quality of life of our citizens,” Uk told Klix a few days ago.

Today, he responded promptly to a question from a user on the X network on social media. Given that it is Sunday, it is commendable that Uk responded quickly, and the question was how many empty apartments there are in Sarajevo, citing data for Ljubljana, stating there are 14,000 empty apartments, and that this was determined through electricity consumption.

“A working group has been appointed to tax the second and each subsequent apartment that is not used, and this is the data they will provide us with. They had a rough estimate, but let's wait for more precise figures,” Uk replied.

Uk previously explained to some media outlets that the excessive number of unused and locked properties on the market produces a large number of negative social and market consequences.

“With this activity, we would be among the first in the region to combat high prices per square meter of apartments and their rental with meaningful measures,” Uk stated.

And given that young people received significantly fewer subsidies for purchased apartments in 2023, amounting to KM 4,800, here is an idea to pay them the difference from collected taxes on empty apartments or from the budget rebalance as voted on in the KS Assembly in June. Whichever comes first.