Especially since nobody can promise that construction will be subsidized, say how many buildings will have access, under which terms or when.
Information that the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds still has not received confirmation that the European Commission (EC) will approve the requirement for financing of the project is important for the story. The requirement is implementation of changes to the operational program, necessary for the project to be eligible for EU financing.
Short reply
The Ministry headed by Gabrijela Žalac confirmed this in the short reply we received to our question about progress with regard to changes to the operational program.
- A meeting with EC representatives was held recently. They asked the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds to provide additional explanations, which we will do, and added that they will release a report soon. Until then, we wait. That is all we can say at the moment - replied the Ministry briefly and failed to reveal when installation of elevators could start.
The message on the website of the HGK as well as letters that the HGK and partners on the project - Croatian Elevator Association as well as coordination of associations and NGOs of postal and telecommunications retirees - sent to more than 16,000 addresses, states that installation will start in second half of 2019, even though the project still has not been approved.
The letters were sent to buildings with three or more floors and no elevator. As it says, the list was compiled by Croatian Post (HP) employees. The letters advise tenant representatives to fill out applications so that interest of tenants can be determined.
The HGK noted that applications can be filled out on its website by 31 January, but the HGK pointed out that it is just a poll it has to make for the project to be considered.
- The poll is based on conclusions of the roundtable held in September last year, where it was concluded that interest should be determined through polling. The poll should show level of interest and help to determine value of the project and how much money is needed - noted the HGK.
Questionable objectivity
However, objectivity of the poll will be questionable since any tenant can fill out and send the application, without reaching an agreement with other tenants or representatives. In addition, many applications can be sent for the same building because at this stage the system does not check whether more applications were sent for the same building.
According to HGK records, of the 17,000 buildings the Chamber wants to apply for the project, some 7,000 applications have been submitted thus far, but it is not clear how many are not authorized or not eligible for the project.
- The HGK is taking part in collection of information on interested tenants, but these are not applications for installation of elevators. We will continue developing the project depending on interest - noted the HGK.
Many unknowns
This is one of many unknowns in the elevator installation project, especially since tenants should finance 15% of the project.
As Pensioners' Party (HSU) president Silvano Hrelja explained for JUTARNJI LIST, all tenants will have to approve EU-financed installation of elevators, except in buildings with disabled tenants or those of limited mobility, where 51% of tenants will have to approve installation.
This is stipulated in Article 87 of the Ownership and Other Proprietary Rights Act, after which tenants will have to agree on model of financing.
While all tenants have to approve installation of elevators, this does not mean that all will agree to take part in financing as tenants of apartments on lower floors might decide they do not need an elevator or do not want to use one. The Act has a solution for such cases, especially if tenants decide to finance the project from the building's reserve fund. According to Article 89 of the Act, tenants can agree to a participation model different from the default proportionality model.
Cost of installation of elevators could be borne exclusively by the tenants who agreed to finance installation, and if they make such arrangements, use of elevator could be limited to those who paid for installation.