Buying or selling property in Moscow or the Moscow Region requires more than a standard contract. I am a Russian real estate lawyer and provide English-language legal support for foreign and international clients throughout the transaction—from title due diligence to registration with Rosreestr.
Why use an independent Russian real estate lawyer?
A real estate agent is primarily engaged to market and close a property. An independent lawyer represents your legal interests, reviews title history and challenge risks, drafts the contractual protections and checks the payment structure. This distinction is especially important for an English-speaking buyer who is unfamiliar with Russian documents and registration practice.
Legal due diligence before the transaction
- Title history. Extracts from the Unified State Register of Real Estate (EGRN), previous transfers and unusual resales.
- Encumbrances. Mortgages, arrests, leases, annuity rights and restrictions on registration.
- Occupants and third-party rights. Registered residents, minors, incapacitated persons and possible lifetime occupancy rights.
- Seller solvency. Court cases, enforcement records, material debts and warning signs of insolvency.
- Bankruptcy risk. Transactions may be reviewed and challenged in later bankruptcy proceedings; the seller’s financial position and the commercial reasonableness of the price must be assessed.
- Spousal consent. Property acquired during marriage may require notarised consent.
- Minors and maternity capital. Ownership allocations and guardianship approvals must be verified.
- Utilities and technical condition. Arrears, unauthorised alterations and discrepancies between the actual property and EGRN data.
Transactions covered
- New-build purchases and assignment of construction rights.
- Secondary-market apartments.
- Linked sale-and-purchase transactions.
- Houses and land plots.
- Commercial real estate.
- Gifts, exchanges, leases and annuity arrangements.
Safe payment structures
The payment mechanism should ensure that funds are released only when the agreed registration conditions are met. Depending on the transaction, this may involve a bank safe-deposit box, letter of credit or escrow account. Mortgage funds, maternity capital and state certificates require coordination with the bank or competent authority.
Warning signs requiring enhanced review
- The seller has substantial arrears, enforcement proceedings or overdue loans.
- Bankruptcy proceedings have started or appear likely.
- Spousal consent is missing for property acquired during marriage.
- A court has prohibited registration actions.
- A minor owns a share and guardianship approval has not been obtained.
These issues do not always make a transaction impossible, but they may require additional documents, revised payment conditions or postponement.
Full transaction support
- Initial consultation. Objectives, parties, financing and transaction structure.
- Due diligence. Review of title, parties, bankruptcy, litigation and enforcement risks.
- Contracts. Drafting or revising preliminary and final agreements in the client’s interests.
- Closing and payment. Negotiations, signing, safe settlement arrangements and filing.
- Registration. Monitoring Rosreestr registration and obtaining the EGRN extract confirming transfer of title.
Frequently asked questions
Is a notary always required?
No. Notarisation is mandatory for certain transactions, including some transfers of shares and transactions involving minors or incapacitated owners. Other sales can generally use written form, although notarisation may provide additional identity and document checks.
How long does due diligence take?
A standard legal review usually takes three to five business days. The full transaction commonly takes two to four weeks, depending on financing, document readiness and registration.
Can I order due diligence only?
Yes. You may order a single document review, contract drafting or one closing-stage action without purchasing full representation.
Fees
- Single legal action — from RUB 15,000. A contract, focused due-diligence review or attendance at one closing step.
- Full transaction support — from RUB 65,000. From the first document review to confirmation of registered title.
- Complex transaction — from RUB 150,000. Linked transactions, asset complexes and cases requiring individual structuring or enhanced risk analysis.
Discuss your Russian property transaction in English
Book a paid consultation before paying a deposit or signing a preliminary agreement. I will identify the first legal checks and recommend the appropriate scope of due diligence and representation.