Budapest considers advertising ban, threatening building maintenance funds

Budapest's city council is once again contemplating a ban on outdoor advertising, a move that has drawn concern from building owners who rely on advertising revenue to fund essential renovations. The potential prohibition threatens to disrupt the financial stability of many residential communities.

Building owners argue that the income generated from billboards and advertisements is vital for covering the substantial costs associated with major repairs, such as roof and facade overhauls. Szilber Szilva, who represents several apartment buildings, explained that these properties are often corner buildings in central locations, making their renovations particularly expensive. She noted that the tens of millions of forints required for such work are difficult for the typically few owners to manage without supplementary income.

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The giant billboards are a great help to the owners, because the tens of millions of forints that a roof repair or a facade repair costs would be very difficult for ten owners to afford.

Szilva emphasized that if the municipality interferes with property owners' rights to decide what is displayed on their facades, it should provide financial support. This compensation would offset lost advertising revenue and prevent necessary repairs from being postponed, thereby preserving the buildings' structural integrity and appearance.

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If the municipality interferes with the owners' right to decide what they put on their own facades, then it should also provide opportunities for support to the apartment buildings, with which they can compensate for the lost income and prevent the necessary renovations from being delayed.