Ikmeboneighbors nearby: a guide to life in your building and yard

An independent reference on good-neighbor life. Not a forum, a management company or a government authority; not connected with the former site on this domain. Not legal advice.

Glossary

Glossary

Here you'll find short explanations of words that keep coming up in residents' conversations, in the building chat and on notices by the elevator. The definitions are deliberately simple: they help you understand what's being discussed, but they don't replace the text of the law and aren't suitable for settling a specific dispute.

When neighbors all understand the word “shared” the same way, half the arguments about the entrance end before they start.

— A thought in the margin

The building

Common property
The parts of a building used by all residents rather than by the owner of a single apartment; in everyday speech this usually means the entrance and other shared spaces. That's why changes to them are usually discussed and agreed on together.
General meeting of owners
In Russia, the governing body of an apartment building (Article 44 of the Russian Housing Code). At the meeting, the owners of premises discuss and decide the building's shared matters together.
Building council
A group of people chosen to help the building handle shared matters. In Russia, an apartment building council is elected at the general meeting of owners (Article 161.1 of the Russian Housing Code).
Council chair
A member of the building council who coordinates its work and is often the first person neighbors go to with shared questions. Their specific powers are best checked in the law and in your building's meeting decisions.

Talking

Chat moderator
A resident who keeps order in the shared chat: reminds people of the rules, removes rude and off-topic messages and helps new neighbors settle in. A moderator isn't a judge — more like the person on duty.
Chat rules
A short pinned list of agreements: what we post about and what we don't, how we address each other, where for-sale posts go and why we don't share other people's personal data.
Notice in the entrance
A paper message for all residents, posted by the front door or the elevator. A good notice is short and polite, doesn't point fingers at specific apartments, and has a clear signature or a way to contact the author.

Safety

Phishing
An attempt to trick you into giving up a password, a code from a text message or card details through a fake link, email or post. In building chats, phishing is often disguised as an urgent message about shut-offs or billing adjustments.
Fake “utility worker”
Someone who calls or turns up unannounced claiming to work for a utility or another service, for example to “check the meters.” Don't open the door right away: find out whether such work was announced, and check with your neighbors.
Emergency number
112 (or your local emergency number) is the single number for emergency services. Call it if there is a threat to life, health or property: a fire, a smell of gas, someone trying to break into an apartment or a person who has suddenly fallen ill.

Where these words come in handy

  • Guides

    A step-by-step article on calmly working things out with a neighbor about noise, plus the article catalogue.

  • Questions

    Short answers about the building chat, quiet, renovations, shared spaces, the owners' meeting and the building council.

  • Topics

    Four topics: talking and the chat, noise and parking, the yard and shared spaces, help and safety.

  • Collections

    Reading paths: a yard you improve yourselves, helping a neighbor who's away, a book shelf and swaps in the entrance.

  • Questions

    Short answers about the building chat, quiet, renovations, shared spaces, the owners' meeting and the building council.

  • Topics

    Four topics: talking and the chat, noise and parking, the yard and shared spaces, help and safety.

  • Guides

    A step-by-step article on calmly working things out with a neighbor about noise, plus the article catalogue.

Sources

  • Housing Code of the Russian Federation (Articles 44 and 161.1)
  • Rules for using a building's common property (in general terms)
  • Ikmebo editorial materials

This information is current as of the date the page was prepared. Every building, yard and neighbor is different, so the advice here is general and is no substitute for talking to a lawyer. If money, documents or someone's rights are involved, consult a professional, and if life, health or property is at risk, call 112 (or your local emergency number) right away.