Kazakhstan strengthens protections for shared construction investors with new reforms
Kazakhstan has rolled out a series of new protections for shared construction investors under a presidential directive. The measures aim to prevent fraud, speed up registrations and safeguard buyers if developers fail. Changes include stricter payment rules, expanded guarantees and digital tools for oversight.
From now on, all shared construction contracts must use cashless payments through 12 banks linked to the Kazreestr system. This move eliminates cash transactions and reduces the risk of double sales. A recent criminal case in Astana—where apartments in the Qyran complex were sold twice—has already reached court.
A specialised portal, homeportal.kz, now lets buyers check for KZhK permits or guarantees before committing. Mobile apps from major banks and the eGov Mobile platform also offer monitoring services to verify a project's legal status. The government has expanded guarantee coverage to include Akmola and Ulytau regions, issuing zero-cost debit guarantees. Since 2017, the Kazakhstan Housing Company (KZhK) has backed 290 projects, completing 7 million square metres of housing and protecting 77,000 families. Developers now face simplified experience requirements, with lower thresholds for both cities and regional areas. By April, the system will shift entirely to electronic contracts with instant registration. Officials say these steps will cut delays and strengthen investor confidence.
The reforms introduce stricter financial controls, wider guarantees and digital verification tools. With mandatory cashless payments, expanded coverage and real-time monitoring, authorities aim to reduce fraud and ensure smoother project completions. The changes follow years of KZhK-backed construction and recent legal action against double-selling schemes.
