In Uzbekistan, developers often include terms in apartment purchase agreements that may restrict buyers' rights. Among such terms are the possibility of retaining up to 15% of the paid amount if the deal is canceled, the requirement to return funds only after the housing is resold, and the developer's right to unilaterally increase the object's cost.
These unlawful provisions were discovered by the Competition Committee during an inspection of construction organizations' contracts.
Over nine months in 2026, the agency received over 1,7 thousand complaints regarding the quality of construction work and delays in handing over residential properties. After studying these appeals, it was possible to achieve a recalculation of funds for consumers totaling approximately 14.5 billion soms.
What was found in developers' documents
Based on the received claims, specialists analyzed 132 contracts concluded with construction organizations operating in the housing construction market. It turned out that in 77.3% of these documents, the deadlines for returning money in case of contract termination were not clearly specified, or the specified deadlines did not match the period of the initial payment.
Furthermore, 63.6% of the contracts lacked warranty periods after the apartment was accepted, and in 54.5%, the developer's obligation to eliminate defects identified during the warranty period was not stipulated.
Additionally, half of the examined agreements did not contain a clause on penalties that the construction company must pay for delayed completion of construction. In one-third of the documents, a specific deadline for transferring the object to the buyer was not set.
The Committee established that provisions formulated solely in the interest of the developer were present in 59.1% of the inspected contracts. It was also noted that 30.3% of the documents were drawn up in Russian, and other conditions violating consumer rights were identified in 49.2%.
What restrictions are placed on buyers
Among the most disputed points named by the committee is the condition of retaining from 4% to 15% of the paid amount if the buyer decides to terminate the contract. In some cases, the developer insists that the return of money is only possible after the apartment has been sold to third parties.
The contracts also feature clauses allowing unilateral changes to the housing price and stipulating high fines for buyers.
As a result of the analysis, the committee prepared and sent proposals to relevant authorities to eliminate the identified shortcomings. The agency advises potential buyers to carefully study all documents before purchasing and to seek legal consultation if questions arise. Citizens whose rights are restricted or whose transaction terms contradict the law have the right to appeal to the court or state structures.
Previously, due to violations at the construction site of a residential complex on Zharkurgon Street in the Yashnabad district, the head of the development company was fined 4.4 million soms. The company itself received compensation of 5.2 billion soms for environmental violations, as well as about 400 million soms for the illegal felling of 51 trees.
