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In several countries، a unique trend has emerged: transforming car garages into habitable apartments. This phenomenon، driven by the search for affordable housing alternatives، has seen garages in cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg renovated to include kitchens، bathrooms، and even bedrooms، then offered for sale or rent at significantly lower prices than traditional apartments. However، these makeshift homes often lack official registration or a permanent address، relying on membership books and administrative approvals.

Potential for Kazakhstan؟

The question arises whether this trend could gain traction in Kazakhstan. Currently، the Kazakh real estate market has not seen widespread offers of garages converted into living spaces. Experts suggest that legally transforming a garage into a residential unit in Kazakhstan presents considerable challenges.

Legal and Practical Obstacles

Key barriers include land zoning regulations and construction norms، which encompass sanitary and fire safety standards، making such conversions difficult. Even attempting to change the land's designated purpose is a complex process with a high likelihood of rejection.

Furthermore، in major Kazakh cities، particularly Almaty، many older garage cooperatives have been demolished to make way for new residential complexes. This urban development also acts as a deterrent to the widespread conversion of garages into apartments.

A New Trend: Technical Floors and Basements

Instead of garages، a different trend is emerging in Kazakhstan: the conversion of technical floors and basements in new residential buildings into apartments. While also an illegal practice، as these areas are considered common property، these 'apartments' are in demand due to their lower cost. This practice، however، carries significant risks for buyers.

Real estate specialists do not anticipate a mass conversion of garages into apartments in Kazakhstan due to the substantial legal and practical impediments. Instead، the illicit use of technical floors and basements is likely to continue.