A Russian real estate agency’s bankruptcy does not by itself terminate a property sale: separate the agency service contract from the seller-buyer transaction and identify who holds the money, documents and keys. A payment to the agency may be commission, service advance, security payment or money intended for another party. The receipt label does not replace review of the contract and actual cash flow.
Two contract layers
Agency services and the property sale create different parties and duties.
Trace the money
Commission, service advance and seller deposit may have different recipients.
Return client property
Originals, powers of attorney and keys do not become agency assets.
Quick self-check
- The agency contract, service schedule and property agreement are collected.
- Recipient, purpose and onward transfer are established for each payment.
- Services actually performed and accepted are recorded.
- Originals, keys, powers of attorney and digital access are listed.
- The sale, registration, settlement and bankruptcy case status are checked.
Identify Every Contract Party
The agency may search, arrange viewings, prepare documents or act for the client. Seller and buyer enter a separate transaction. Verify authority, signatories, the entity on the receipt and any power of attorney; agency debt should not be shifted automatically to the property owner.
Commission, Advance and Deposit
Earned remuneration differs from an unearned service advance. Money intended for the seller requires proof of onward transfer or separate custody. A deposit has special consequences only where the agreement and connection to the principal obligation are proven; an informal payment label is insufficient.
The Pending Property Transaction
Check execution of the sale agreement, filing for registration, letter-of-credit or escrow release, possession transfer and safe-deposit access. Intermediary insolvency does not replace the parties’ decision on whether the principal deal continues or ends.
Documents, Keys and Personal Data
Request return of originals, powers of attorney and keys against an inventory. Passport copies, property extracts and contacts do not become saleable estate assets; archive transfer must respect the purpose and legal regime of personal-data processing. Revoke unnecessary authority separately.
- inventory all items;
- revoke unnecessary access;
- request documented return;
- record missing documents;
- replace critical originals.
Calculate the Client Claim
Compare service price, completed stages, money transferred to third parties and usable results. Do not count one amount twice as both advance refund and full loss. The obligation’s origin date and case stage determine the filing route.
| Item | Review | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Service advance | Contract and completed stages | Calculate unearned balance |
| Commission | Result condition | Test whether remuneration arose |
| Money for seller | Recipient and transfer | Separate from service payment |
| Originals and keys | Inventory and custody | Request documented return |
| Property sale | Registration and settlement | Determine its independent status |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the property purchase end with agency bankruptcy?
Not automatically. The principal sale, registration and settlement are separate from intermediary services.
Can the entire agency advance be recovered?
It depends on terms, services actually completed and accepted, and movement of funds.
Has a seller deposit paid through the agency been lost?
Identify the recipient, agency authority, onward transfer and the deposit agreement.
How are originals and keys recovered?
Send an inventory-backed request and arrange documented handover with the archive controller.
Where is the client claim filed?
The route depends on origin date and case stage; support it with contracts, payments, communications and calculation.
Legal Sources
- Russian Civil Code Part Two: Agency, Commission and Services.
- Russian Consumer Protection Law.
- Federal Law No. 127-FZ.
- 2026 Amendments to Federal Law No. 127-FZ.
- Federal Bankruptcy Register.
Related guides: real estate agency agreements, developer bankruptcy and corporate bankruptcy.
Is the Agency Holding Your Money or Documents?
We can review contracts, payment flows, the pending deal, client records and claim value.
BOOK AN INITIAL CONSULTATIONGeneral information as at 28 August 2026. Treatment depends on agency authority, contracts, payment purpose, principal transaction status and case stage.