No more blocks without elevators? Revolutionary changes are coming

The Ministry of Development and Technology began consulting the draft new regulation on technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location – a key document for investors, developers and property owners.

The new regulations, often referred to as the “Bible for buildings”, are to introduce significant changes, including a number of requirements for availability for people with disabilities, including The obligation to install elevators in all blocks and tenements. Although the regulation is not to enter into force until September 20, 2026, it is already controversial due to the potential costs that investors and owners may suffer. It is worth adding that the previous amendment to this document was delayed twice and the current changes are even more revolutionary.

“Bible for buildings” – what changes do the new regulations assume?

The project involves the introduction of significant changes, including a number of requirements for availability for people with disabilities, including the obligation to install elevators in all blocks and tenements, as well as new minimum requirements for energy characteristics and fire protection.

– Changes planned by the Ministry should be assessed predominantly positively. They will have a positive effect on the availability of public buildings and collective buildings for disabled people, for example by introducing the obligation to install elevators in such facilities – notes Kamil Osowski, Project Manager Rödl & Partner in an interview with “Wprost”.

In his opinion, changes in the scope of energy characteristics, aimed at achieving the “zero -emission” standard by buildings, also deserve attention, which will positively affect the environment, and also reduce the costs of their operation. Changes in the field of fire protection are to improve the level of safety.

New technical conditions – what will the costs be?

Although the regulation is not to enter into force until September 20, 2026, it is already controversial due to the potential costs that investors and owners may suffer.

– An indication of the precise amount in terms of the price increase in all planned investments is not possible due to the diversity and nature of individual projects – explains the Ministry of Development and Technology.

As the expert notes, the regulations will only apply to specific objects:

– It should be noted that the new regulations will apply only to new and rebuilt buildings, i.e. the fears of the owners of existing buildings regarding the costs or technical possibilities of their implementation are unfounded. At the same time, they will be an additional cost in the process of building new or reconstruction of existing buildings, which will undoubtedly affect the increase in prices on the housing market – emphasizes Osowski.