Housing maintenance and management in Russia during the reforms

Part of these objectives also included improving the quality of maintenance in state housing by breaking up the monopolies of state maintenance firms and replacing them with private firms procured through competitive bidding procedures. Moscow, in particular, has been a forerunner in implementing housing reform policies, including shifting from state maintenance firms to contracted private ones. Using Moscow and other Russian cities as illustrations for reforms in maintenance and management brings to light the benefits of private maintenance and also problems which must be overcome, not only throughout Russia but in nearly all the countries of the former Soviet bloc. This presentation evaluates the institutional changes of maintenance and sources of funding for maintenance in Moscow during the reforms; shows evidence of improved quality of housing maintenance through the use of contracted private firms; and provides a general overview of competitive maintenance and condominium formation throughout Russia. Includes references. (Author abstract)