President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill extending the deadline for free privatization of public housing until 2015, the Kremlin's press office announced Monday.
The current deadline for free privatization, when residents can register property rights to their homes without paying full taxes and fees, is March 1, RIA-Novosti reported.
Privatization of housing in Russia began in 1992. The period during which owners can privatize their apartments without paying full taxes and fees has already been extended twice.
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in mid-February that the president had deemed it necessary to consider a two-year extension of free housing privatization for all citizens.
The State Duma promptly responded, drafting a bill to that effect the day after Peskov's statement.
The bill was supported by all parties represented in the Duma.
Last week, the extension of free housing privatization was passed by the Duma and approved by the Federation Council.
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