May 21 — Inventory Day: history, traditions, congratulations

Every year on May 21, Russia celebrates Inventory Day, a professional holiday for specialists who analyze the condition and evaluate real estate. In 2025, the date falls on Wednesday. Read about its history, traditions of celebration, as well as who and how it is customary to celebrate on this day in the Izvestia article.

Inventory Day – 2025: the history of the holiday, the emergence of the profession

Inventory Day was established by a resolution of the Board of the Federal Union of Inventors on May 21, 1999. The date was not chosen by chance: it was on this day in 1927 that the USSR Bureau of Technical Inventory was established. For many years, the date has been an unofficial holiday for professionals involved in this field.

The prototype of the modern inventory service appeared during the Roman Empire. It was then that officials first began compiling lists of citizens' real estate.

In Russia, the systematic compilation of lists of real estate began under Ivan the Terrible. Instructions for carrying out the inventory were developed, and a Local Order was created. This body took into account lands, estates and other hereditary possessions, and its employees carried out a technical inventory.

After 1917, when private property was abolished, it became necessary to urgently nationalize it. On May 21, 1927, the resolution of the ECOSOC (Economic Meeting at the Council of Labor and Defense of the RSFSR) "On the inventory of property of local Councils" was signed, which resulted in the creation of the state inventory service in Russia — the Bureau of Technical Inventory (BTI).

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On January 10, 1930, another decree was signed instructing local councils to organize accounting of current changes in property. The new service was engaged in creating databases on real estate objects and their technical condition. In this capacity, the BTI existed until the end of the 80s of the XX century. During this period, almost all real estate belonged to the state, and citizens could not freely buy and sell land, apartments, and houses.

Today, BTI occupies one of the key places in the system of the Russian economy, providing the state with information about the state of all real estate in the country. These bureaus collect data on the technical characteristics of the housing stock, which allows us to draw conclusions about the need to repair dilapidated housing, build new or demolish old houses.

The data also helps to determine the amount of funds needed to repair and reform the housing and communal services sector. BTI specialists help citizens to register their property by providing the necessary documents for the purchase or sale of real estate, exchange, donation, inheritance, transfer of real estate as collateral, redevelopment, and so on.

Traditions of celebrating Inventory Day in Russia

On May 21, various events dedicated to the celebration of Inventory Day are held in Russia. On this day, solemn meetings are held, during which distinguished employees are awarded certificates of honor and commendations.

Seminars and conferences, and professional development courses are also organized locally. Another tradition of the holiday is holding corporate events and informal meetings.

Who and how is congratulated on May 21, Inventory Day

On this day, congratulations are received by inventory specialists, BTI employees, engineers who are engaged in the technical assessment of buildings, premises and other real estate objects, professionals who prepare documents and make changes to databases. Izvestia has prepared several examples of how this can be done.:

"We sincerely congratulate you on your professional holiday. Your work requires scrupulousness, concentration and accuracy of calculations. We wish you good health, success in your career and personal happiness. May there be a lot of joy, love and prosperity in your life!"

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"Congratulations on your professional holiday! Your work is important and responsible. We wish you success in your work, good health, personal happiness and well-being. May there be a lot of joy in your life! Happy Inventory Day!"

"Congratulations on your professional holiday! Your work is very important. We wish him to be appreciated and the results of his work to please. May your health be excellent and your career successful. May luck accompany you in all your endeavors, and your life will be filled with joy and happiness!"

Earlier, Izvestia told how Biographers' Day is celebrated in Russia.