Principles of housing law (on the materials of the Republic of Belarus)

Determining the place of housing law in the system of law is a theoretical problem, however, effective legal regulation of housing relations depends on its solution. As a starting point, the authors of the article put forward the thesis that the distinguishing of new independent branches of law is justified only if there is an objective possibility of identifying specific basic principles inherent only to this formation (legal principles). Based on the analysis of the principles of housing law, enshrined in Article 3 of the Housing Code of the Republic of Belarus, the authors conclude that there is no uniqueness of the principles of housing law, reflecting its exclusive branch specificity. Along with the absence of its subject and method of legal regulation of housing relations, this circumstance does not allow us to recognize housing law as an independent branch of law. This conclusion, however, does not convince  that an accurate understanding of the legal nature and content of the principles underlying legal regulation can have a positive impact not only on the formation of the entire array of legal norms governing housing legal relations but also to contribute to the formation of law enforcement practice under the given benchmarks