MOSCOW, April, 24, 2007. Russian Public Opinion Research Center submits information whether Russians find it fair that the real estate tax practicy does not depend on quality and market price; what should become a basis for the estimation of the real estate tax; what should the authorities do about the fact that in major cities a considerable part of real estate is bought for leasing purposes or resale.

The majority of Russians (68%) consider the fact that the real estate tax practicy does not depend on quality and market price of an apartment unfair. 13% of respondents think it is fair: from 10% of financiy unsuccessful up to 17% of those who are financiy well-to-do.

The suggestion of real estate tax evaluation on the basis of market price is perceived positively by 47% of respondents; there are bit less (37%)of those who think of this suggestion negatively. The part of this new real estate tax supporters is the highest in Moscow and St. Petersburg residents: 66%. Opinions of other major cities differ (44% approval, 43% disapproval).

Real estate tax estimation should be based on the owner's level of income (as 35% of interviewed identify) and the quality of a place of living (as 30% of respondents think). Less important factors of such estimation are such things as the apartment's or house's total metric area (10%), the book value of an apartment, consisting of expenses for its construction (10%) and the location of the place (6%). The idea of evaluation the amount of tax according to the owner's income is the least popular among the group of financiy well-to-do respondents, with 27% support. Whereas the groups of financiy average and poor ones show 35-38% of support to the idea.

Among the measures aimed to limit the speculations in the real estate market, the most effective one, in the opinion of Russians, is adopting a higher tax for the second or third apartment. The percentage of this measure's supporters has increased within a year (from 28% up to 36%). At the same time the part of supporters of the criminal penalty for real estate speculations has declined (from 21% down to 14%). 9% of respondents support the idea of prohibiting buying of second or third apartment. There is also a considerable amount of those who think the government should not take any measures since this is a normal market situation (18%) or that these measures are useless (13%).

All-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM, March, 31, 2007 - April, 1, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population centers of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error doesn't not exceed 3.4%.