Management Company Terra Loses Court Over Violations

On 23 January, Vasileostrovsky District Court issued a decision on one of the lawsuits against management company Terra. In 2024, this management company gained control over 400 buildings, and a criminal case was initiated against it for falsifying owners« votes.

The court invalidated the decisions of the general meeting in a building on Novosmolenskaya Embankment. The lawsuit was filed by several residents, including prominent St. Petersburg lawyer Irina Bahanovich.

The disputed meeting took place in late December 2023. At it, Terra was selected as the management organization and the amount of fees for the maintenance and repair of common property was approved.

As follows from the case materials, the plaintiffs were not properly notified about the holding of the meeting and did not participate in the voting. They believe that the adopted decisions violate housing legislation and their rights.

The residents presented documents received by the State Housing Inspection (GHI) after the meeting. The act of notifying the owners was signed by persons who are not owners of apartments in the building, and without photo documentation. These same people then acted as the chair and secretary of the meeting.

Representatives of the city authorities, who own part of the premises in the building, also did not receive notification.

Irina Bahanovich commented on the decision in her blog: «You won»t believe it, but finally the court overturned the decisions on the general meeting of owners with my forged signature. The case lasted almost two years, and, honestly, for me it was a matter of principle — to prove my rightness. So, the second lawsuit «against Terra» was satisfied by Vasileostrovsky District Court. And yes, I am for truth and justice. And nothing more.«