For years, the shadow rental market in Ukraine has kept millions of people in a vulnerable position: the lack of an official contract meant the risk of sudden eviction or unjustified rent hikes. However, the situation is beginning to change. The country's authorities are preparing large-scale legislative reforms aimed at protecting tenants' rights, as well as launching state support mechanisms, including social rental housing.
Protection Against Arbitrary Eviction
A key turning point was the entry into force in January 2026 of the Law "On the Basic Principles of Housing Policy." This document enshrined a fundamental rule at the legislative level for the first time: no one can be evicted from occupied housing or restricted in their right to use it otherwise than by a court decision.
As explained by Andriy Lotysh, managing partner of the "Lotysh & Partners" law firm, this provision changes the rules of the game. Now, a landlord cannot simply put a tenant on the street without valid grounds provided by law and without a corresponding court ruling.
Nevertheless, experts note that protection from eviction alone is not enough. Ukraine still lacks imperative guarantees — norms that cannot be overridden by the terms of a private contract. To bring the market in line with European standards, lawyers propose fixing mandatory tenant rights, establishing clear rules for changing rent, and regulating procedures for terminating contracts.
State Programs and the "Housing Umbrella"
Alongside legislative changes, the state is expanding its toolkit for financial support. The main driver of these changes is the company "Ukrfinzhylle". Board Chairman Yevhen Metsger spoke about the plans to transform the organization's activities.
The company is moving beyond classic mortgage support. Upcoming plans include launching social rental programs, financing developers to increase housing supply, and possibly introducing a rent-to-own mechanism.
Special attention is being paid to creating a single institute for managing housing finance. Based on "Ukrfinzhylle," the creation of a so-called "housing umbrella" is planned — a structure that will coordinate all financial instruments in the housing sector. According to experts, the full launch of this institute could happen in two to three years.
What Will Change for the Market
The reforms are aimed at bringing the rental market out of the shadows. Today, the lack of official contracts remains the norm, making tenants hostages to the will of landlords. New laws and state programs are designed to create a balance of interests, making the market more transparent and safe for all participants.
