14 The effects of property laws on the process of restitution and compensation in post-communist Albania, under the framework of transitional justice. is characterized by deficiencies that run counter to the principles of legal certainty, equality, proportionality, lack of effective enforcement of the law, impossibility of timely response or non-execution decisions. The novelty of this law, which is still in force today, is that it created a new scheme. Under this scheme there is no return but only compensation. The competent institution handling this case was changed again by the transfer from the Property Restitution and Compensation Agency to the Property Treatment Agency. 2.METHODOLOGY The methodology used for this research is based primarily on laws and bylaws adopted in the property legal reforms framework with the object of restitution and compensation; national strategies and action plans; progress reports and reports of various institutions like Ombudsman, European Commission, World Bank, US Department of State, Freedom House; decisions of the European Court of Human Rights; Albanian and foreign literature. Interviews and meetings with lawyers and former owners were also used to measure the effects of these laws. Another methodology used for this research paper was an online survey designed to measure these effects and their impact on citizens, whether they are former owners or not. The survey was submitted online and was anonymous. Being online has made it easily accessible, not only in the city of Shkodra, but in all of Albania. This survey is completed by 274 people, from different cities of Albania, different ages ranging from 25 years old to 65 years old and more, from different professions, from different economic classes, from former owners and non-former owners. It has best served to measure the effectiveness these laws have had on the people, how the citizens they perceived these laws and their effects. 3. DATA ANALYSIS 3.1 From a non-existent status of private property under the communist regime, following the major transformations of 1991 to the establishment of the democratic system, the property issue was significantly affected.54 The Albanian transition has a great deal to do with the long-lasting property issue. According to the survey, the question of whether the property issue is a cause for continued transition in Albania, resulted that most of them answered “Yes”. I don’t know 11% Chart 1 No 72% Yes 72% The chart reflects the responses of the respondents to the question whether the property issue is the reason for the ongoing transition in Albania. Source: Survey developed on the effects of property laws on the return and compensation process in post-communist Albania, on the Albanian transition. 2019 As for the property reform, the first law that brought about many debates and great impacts, whose effects are still felt, is the Law 7501 “On Land”. It is considered the law that brought about 54. Cross-Strategyfor Property Rights Reform 2012-2020.Page 8.