Maintenance and Repair Obligations in Russia
Division of responsibilities under the Russian Civil Code: capital repairs (Landlord) vs current repairs and utility payments (Tenant).
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Article 681 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation clearly and unambiguously distributes the financial and practical burden for repairing and maintaining a rented apartment between the landlord (owner) and the tenant.
1. Obligations of the Tenant
According to Paragraph 1 of Article 681 CC RF, current repairs of the leased residential premises are the obligation of the tenant (unless otherwise established in the tenancy agreement).
Current Repairs and Domestic Maintenance:
The tenant is responsible for keeping the apartment tidy and fixing minor operational breakdowns. Standard Practice (Paid by the Tenant):
- Replacing burnt-out light bulbs and gaskets in leaking faucets.
- Clearing clogs in the sink and toilet (kitchen or bathroom) caused by careless use (grease, hair).
- Cosmetic repair of minor damages (restoring scratched wallpaper or laminate floor burned by an iron).
- Repairing locks or sockets broken during aggressive use of the mechanisms.
Payment of Utility Services (Housing and Communal Services - ЖКХ):
In Russia, utility bills are split into two parts. By law (and market practice), the tenant pays only the variable portion of the communal payments, which depends directly on their factual residence in the apartment. Paid by the Tenant (by meter):
- Cold and hot water (based on individual apartment water meters).
- Sewerage/Drainage.
- Electricity (by meter).
- Internet and cable television.
2. Obligations of the Landlord (Owner)
According to Paragraph 2, Article 681 CC RF, capital repairs of the leased residential premises are the obligation of the landlord (unless otherwise established by the tenancy agreement).
The owner is responsible for hidden defects (invisible during inspection) and the wear and tear of basic load-bearing communications ("natural wear and tear of hidden risers" in Russia).
Capital
Repairs: The owner must fix major breakdowns that make it impossible to use the premises for their intended purpose. Standard Practice (Paid by the Landlord):
- Replacing burst main riser pipes or burst heating radiators (unless the tenant intentionally smashed them with a hammer).
- Replacing completely rotted electrical wiring, repairing a leaking roof (on the top floor), or addressing moldy external walls due to poor thermal insulation of the building itself.
- Purchasing and replacing large, expensive appliances (refrigerator or washing machine) that broke down exclusively due to age and natural physical wear and tear, and not due to the tenant's fault.
Payment of "Fixed" Utility Services and Taxes:
Paid by the Landlord (Owner):
- Annual municipal property tax for individuals.
- Contributions to the "Capital Repair Fund" (a state fee for renovating building facades).
- General services of the Management Company (building maintenance, garbage collection, concierge salary, and apartment heating during winter — because pipes radiate heat regardless of the tenant's presence). However, in some markets, depending on the landlord, the entire fixed receipt from the Management Company is shifted to the tenant, but this must be strictly written into the contract.
The tenant is obligated to immediately notify the landlord of any emergency (a leak in the apartment riser, a burst battery). If they do not, the tenant can be found guilty of negligence and forced to compensate the neighbors below for flood damage.
Return to the Russia Landlord-Tenant Law Overview.
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