Russia Landlord-Tenant Law Overview

The relationship between landlords and residential tenants in the Russian Federation is primarily governed by the Civil Code (ГК РФ). The legal term for renting an apartment to an individual is "Tenancy" (Наем). Recent digitalization has introduced electronic lease registration through state portals.

The 11-Month Rule (Short-Term Leases)

Over 90% of Russian residential leases are signed for exactly 11 months.

• Long-Term (1+ year): Must be registered with Rosreestr. Tenants gain a preemptive right to renew, making it difficult for landlords to change tenants or raise rent significantly.
• Short-Term (up to 1 year): No registration is required. Tenants do NOT have a preemptive right to renew, giving landlords maximum flexibility at the end of the term.

Key Regulations Summary

Written Contracts and Registration

A written contract is mandatory (Art. 674 CC RF). Digital contracts signed on the Gosuslugi platform carry the same legal weight as paper contracts. Landlords are increasingly registering as Self-Employed (Самозанятый) to benefit from the reduced 4% tax rate on income from individuals.

Utilities and Subleasing

• Utilities (ЖКХ): Landlords typically pay fixed maintenance fees; tenants pay metered usage (water, electricity, internet).
• Subleasing: Requires explicit, written consent from the landlord (Art. 685 CC RF). Unauthorized sublet is ground for immediate termination.

Selling a Rented Property

If a property is sold, the lease agreement remains in force until its expiration date (Art. 675 CC RF). The new owner inherits the lease under the same conditions.