Improving the Institutional and Organizational Mechanisms to De-Shadow Relations in the Field of Real Estate Transactions

Real estate transactions have been one of the most shadowed sectors of the national economy. The COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine measures introduced in 2020 to prevent its spreading have led to a sharp increase in the shadowing of the real estate sector, thus reversing the positive trend of the previous years. The study aims at finding ways to de-shadow the real estate sector and substantiating them. Changes in the level of shadowing relations in the real estate sector in 2020 are analyzed. It is found out that the quarantine restrictions introduced in 2020 had though short-term but major negative impact on activities in the real estate market, thus increasing the shadowing of the real estate transactions sector. Emphasis is placed on letting residential real estate as one of the most shadowed segments of the real estate sector. Gaps in the de-shadowing measures in the real estate sector in recent years are highlighted and critically assessed, in particular: Bill № 3618 “On Real Estate Activities in Ukraine”; Bill № 3928-1 "On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine with a view to stimulate the de-shadowing of income received from letting residential real estate"; introduction of a Multiple Listing Service based on real estate appraisal reports; activities of tax authorities in the field of identifying shadow transactions in the rental market. To minimize the level of shadowing the real estate sector, it is suggested to: conduct public awareness campaign as for the benefits of conducting legal activities in the rental market, e.g., protection of the rights of tenants and landlords in the field of real estate transactions; to amend the Tax Code of Ukraine regarding the taxation of income received from letting residential real estate; create a "Legal Lease" online portal, etc.