In the age of technological progress, when almost every home has the Internet, few citizens are aware of their rights, which are fixed at the level of legislative acts. Moreover, few people know that it is even possible to get free forest from the state to build a house, although under certain conditions.
Legislative framework
In article 30 of the Forest Code, every citizen has the right to harvest wood for his own needs. The procedure itself, of course, is not spelled out in the code, therefore, the procedure for the allocation of forests and regulations are determined by local authorities.
They will definitely refuse to the applicant who wishes to use the wood for commercial purposes. Such actions are strictly prohibited.
Issuance Standards and Timing
Some categories of citizens of the country can count on free forest from the state for building a house, but once for 25 years. The norm in this case is 150 cubic meters.
Every five years, citizens are entitled to count on 50 cubic meters, which can be requested for the restoration of housing. Free wood volumes may vary by region.
If the applicant’s house burned down and this is confirmed by official documents, then he has the right to count on receiving the forest out of turn and material compensation.
Subjects of law
How to get a forest for housing for free and who can expect to receive it?
Indigenous people of the North, residents of the Far East, Siberia can count on free wood.
Local authorities have the right to expand the categories of persons. For example, in a number of regions, such a right is reserved for participants of the Second World War, people with disabilities, and persons who participated in military conflicts.
Persons who have a wooden house as their only housing can count on a reduced price, and it requires major repairs. In other regions, where it is very cold throughout most of the year, they can count on wood for heating.
Limitations
How can I get the forest from the state for free? The main condition for all applicants is the use of raw materials only for their own needs. A list of such needs is determined by local authorities. They are usually limited to a small list:
- for housing construction;
- for heating;
- for repair of houses;
- for the construction of farm buildings.
It is strictly forbidden to even claim to receive the forest for free for the purpose of its commercial use.
In order to get a positive decision from the local authorities and build a house of free wood, you must have a foundation on the land.
For coniferous trees, benefits do not apply, therefore, such harvesting is not allowed and is regarded as commercial activity.
Persons who have comfortable apartments and houses do not fall into the category of beneficiaries. That is, it is impossible to build a summer house by allocating free forest.
What do they offer in the regions?
In fact, if local authorities even gave the green light, then you should not rely on the fact that they will allow to cut down the entire forest.
How to get business forest from the state for free? It is the answer to this question that will give a complete understanding of how much you can count on.
It follows from the fact that 18 sq. M. m of living space. On average, each Russian family consists of 3 people, that is, such a family is allocated 54 square meters. m. With this amount of living space, the total area of the house should be 76 square meters. m, the construction of which will require 56.5 cubic meters. m of forest. In turn, these cubes will turn out from 90 cubic meters. m of business forest, and this equals 125 cubic meters. m standing on the forest.
Naturally, this is an approximate calculation, a lot depends on the quality of the forest and the climatic conditions of the region where the trees grow.
For example, residents of the Krasnodar Territory can only rely on 50 cubic meters of forest, which can be allocated only once in a lifetime for one family. And in the Irkutsk region, the norms are higher, and the family can count on receiving 125 cubic meters. m of raw materials.
Terms of receipt
How to get the forest from the state for free, what conditions are put forward to the applicant?
You should know that beneficiaries do not receive the forest itself, but the right to cut it down. That is, a site stands out where it is necessary to cut down the entire forest, regardless of the quality and type of tree. After cutting, the selected plot should be put in order.
Felling trees to the very root is not allowed. Plants need to provide conditions for further growth.
Procedure
How to get free forest from the state? The order of receipt is presented below. First of all, it is necessary to collect a package of documents that will confirm the right to apply for a benefit, and write a statement.
All documents are submitted to local authorities. Officials review the application and make a decision. If it is positive, then the applicant is allocated territory for felling, permission is given from the leshoz.
After this, it is necessary to conclude an agreement with a logging company for cutting and exporting wood. It should be prepared that after processing the raw materials, the actual volume of the forest will not coincide with the desired. Most often this happens due to the unsuitability of individual tree trunks for construction. However, there are many scammers among logging companies. Instead of cutting down on the allotted territory, they can offer ready-made material, you should not agree to this, since, most likely, instead of laid 150 or 125 cubic meters, the beneficiary will receive at best 15 or 20 cubic meters.
It is allowed to carry out independent cutting, but, as a rule, such sites are provided in remote places, so physically taking out the forest from there on your own is very problematic.
After the removal and processing of the forest, it is necessary to begin the construction of housing.
What documents will be required?
How to get free forest from the state to build a house and what documents to submit to local authorities?
A sample list is as follows:
- a free-form application (although in some cases local authorities may offer to fill out a form developed by them);
- a document confirming the right of ownership (ownership) of the land on which housing will be built;
- building permit;
- passport.
All documents, in addition to the application, are submitted in copies.
The same package of documents will be required if the applicant does not fall into the preferential category of persons, but has the right to rely on benefits when buying wood.
Preferential prices
If you do not fall into the category of those who are entitled to free forest from the state, that is, do not live in the North or in the Far East, then you can try to purchase it at a reduced price. Forest allocation in such cases is subject to participation in the auction. On average, the discount reaches 50% and depends on the duration of the heating season, the natural features of the region and other factors.
Across Russia, the average price per cubic meter is 63 rubles. In some regions where there are many forests, its cost is 14 rubles, and in others - 220 rubles.
The procedure for contacting local authorities is the same as for wanting to receive free raw materials for construction. After reviewing the documents, the commission makes a decision and an auction is held.
Persons whose housing has suffered as a result of a fire or natural disaster can apply for an extraordinary receipt of the forest at a discount (without participating in the auction).
Who exercises control?
You should always remember that the forest is the property of the whole country, therefore the regulatory authorities monitor the legality of its use. In particular, forest inspectors, prosecutors and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are entitled to exercise control.
These officials have the right to inspect during logging, timber removal, and at the construction stage, that is, to determine whether the material is used for its intended purpose.
Benefits
How to get a forest from the state for free to any person is now clear. What are the benefits of this right? First of all, even if it is not a question of a free transfer, but a purchase through an auction, the applicants are attracted by the rather low cost of timber. The price is usually 5-7 times lower than the market value.
But the main thing is that if the family really needs to improve their living conditions, then this is a real chance to do this, using their legal right.
disadvantages
How to get wood from the state for free and are there pitfalls in the procedure? First of all, the minus is that the extradition procedure is imperfect and many families who really need to build a house are refused. In turn, many fraudsters nevertheless rely on free receipt of raw materials through corruption schemes. After all, the procedure for issuing a forest is not registered anywhere, and the need for its receipt is determined by local authorities.
The second minus is the need to attract a third-party organization for cutting, processing and exporting forest. The applicant must carry out all these actions at his own expense.
The third minus is the discrepancy between the amount of forest provided and the volumes needed to build a house. After all, after processing the wood, it will become much smaller. There is a big risk that some of the trunks are not suitable for construction and will simply be rejected.
The fourth minus is the need to collect documents and prove the right to receive benefits.
Summary
How to get forest from the state for free? In fact, the category of persons entitled to this is very small. Residents of Siberia and the Far East, the indigenous peoples of the North can receive natural material for the construction of housing.
In some regions of Russia, preferential categories are also defined, as a rule, these are veterans of the Great Patriotic War and combatants. People with disabilities, families with many children, people with certain services to the state can count on a discount of 50% or more. But local authorities can define these categories. These citizens have the right to purchase forest through participation in the auction.
All categories of persons entitled to receive free timber or at preferential prices are not entitled to use the material received for commercial purposes. Coniferous trees are generally not regarded as building material, therefore they cannot be cut down by beneficiaries.
To get the forest you need to contact the local authorities. A special commission considers the application and the attached documents, makes a decision: allows or denies. If a positive decision is made, then the applicant receives a plot in the forest, hires a logging company, which carries out logging and removal of material. After processing the wood begins the construction of a residential building.