REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA'S SERB ENTITY CAN RECLAIM THEIR FLATS

OKUCANI, June 1 (Hina) - Refugees and displaced persons from Bosnia's Serb entity can reclaim their socially-owned flats and their private property in the Republika Srpska, which was abandoned after April 30, 1991, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Croatia reported on Tuesday. A repossession claim can be submitted by a person who was the tenancy right holder at the time his/her flat was declared abandoned, as well as by members of their household or an authorised person. Claims have to be submitted to the Republika Srpska's Ministry for Refugees and Displaced Persons for individual municipalities where flats or private property are located. Competent courts will have to make a decision on a repossession claim within 30 days from the day it was submitted, and forward it within eight days from the adoption of the decision. The repossession claim will have to contain information about the applicant, the flat and the planned date of return, as well as a statement by the applicant or a member of the household saying the applicant was the tenancy right holder at the time his/her flat was declared abandoned. It is advised that the request be accompanied with other documentation confirming that the applicant was the holder of tenancy rights or a member of the household at the time the flat was declared abandoned. The deadline for submitting repossession claims for flats is June 19, 1999. Those who fail to submit their claims by that date will permanently lose their tenancy rights. Also, if the applicant does not return and start living in his/her flat within a year from the date the decision on his repossession claim was adopted, he will permanently lose his tenancy rights. There is no deadline for submitting claims for the repossession of private property, nor is there a time limit for the return. (hina) rml