Romanian city taxes abandoned buildings at 500% rate to urge renovation

This year local authorities in Braila have decided to sanction 50 buildings

Today, authorities in the town of Braila, Romania, announced they will tax the owners of 50 buildings at an eye-watering 500% rate for the year because the buildings have been left to decay and wither. The move came as part of local authorities' push to coax homeowners into doing property preservation.

Braila – A special urban environment

Braila is a city of historical and architectural heritage, with its urban layout bearing the marks of neo-classical utopian design. The city sits close to the Danube delta and is one of the last major settlements before the river enters the Black Sea.

Its urban layout features concentric circles radiating from the river coast outwards – a stark design separating it from other cities. Within these concentric circles lies the inner city with the largest concentration of listed and historic buildings.

Brăila City Hall produced a guide last year for the repair of the facades of the buildings in the Historic Center, which covers an area of ​​over 160 hectares and includes true architectural jewels of inestimable value, built at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20^th-century.

Also known as the old centre, it has been declared a historical monument of national value, together with the "Traian Square" complex, which dates from the beginning of the 18th century, the "Strada Mihai Eminescu" complex and the Church "Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel" from the 19th century.

Moving to sanction the owners

However, too many of the buildings have fallen to decay over the years and local authorities can do little to affect change on private property. This is why, in 2019, Mayor Viorel Dragomir introduced the law on decaying buildings.

The law states that if a building undergoes renovation it would be exempt from taxes for the next three years. On the other hand, if it is left to fall apart, the owners would need to pay a tax five times greater than normal.

Additionally, the law comes with specific requirements for the renovation to preserve the historic character of the building. According to an official statement, cited by AGERPRES, many of the city’s buildings are in an advanced state of decay and authorities need to take a very decisive stance to protect Braila’s unique architectural heritage.

In 2021, the municipality reported 52 buildings being taxed at 500%, while this year the number is 50. Moreover, last year owners had to pay fines of up to 30,000 lei (around 6,000 euros).

The respective buildings sanctioned in 2022 are located on Boulevard Al. I Cuza and the following streets: Ana Aslan, Braşoveni, Cazarmii, Cojocari, Constantin Hepites, Danubiului, Împaratul Traian, Mihai Eminescu, Rubinelor, RS Campiniu, Mărăşti, Vadul Schelelor, Scolilor, Vapoarelor, Calea Galati and Piaţa Traian.