A Novosibirsk management company has been ordered to pay compensation to a resident after snow falling from an apartment building damaged his car. The Leninsky District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, awarding him 191,400 rubles for material damages and 10,000 rubles for moral damages, along with coverage for valuation report expenses and a fine.

The incident occurred on January 30, 2023, when snow fell from the building’s visor onto the resident’s Honda Crosstour, which was parked nearby. The impact caused significant damage to the car’s roof, resulting in numerous dents.

The resident reported hearing his car alarm and discovering the damage upon inspection. He also noted a gap forming between the sunroof and the roof, leading to snow and moisture entering the vehicle.

The court determined that the management company failed to properly maintain the building’s common areas by not adequately clearing snow and ice. This negligence was deemed the direct cause of the snow falling onto the car and causing the damages.

The court stated, “The fact of spontaneous snow falling from the roof of a residential building confirms that the defendant, who is obliged to maintain the common property of an apartment building, improperly fulfilled his duties, cleaned snow and ice untimely or poorly.” The court partially satisfied the claims.

The decision is not yet legally binding, and the management company has been contacted for comment. This is not an isolated incident; in 2024, another Novosibirsk resident received over 180,000 rubles from the mayor’s office after his Porsche Cayenne was damaged by a pothole.