Examples
Examples and Cases
A dry rule becomes clearer once you apply it to an everyday situation. So below are a few made-up stories built from typical questions about renting a home. They deliberately contain no names, cities or amounts: focus on the order of actions, not the details.
Almost every dispute over a flat starts with "but we agreed." The question is where that was written down.
These stories were made up by the editors: no real people, cases or court decisions stand behind them. In real life the outcome depends on what the agreement and the report say, so in a genuine conflict it is worth checking with a lawyer.
Situations
Six hypothetical stories with a short breakdown: where the key moment is and how not to miss it.
Hypothetical example: a prepayment "for a viewing"
Someone finds a listing for a flat and is asked to transfer money first, for a viewing or to hold it. They have not seen the flat and have not been shown any documents. The sensible step is to transfer nothing, suggest meeting at the flat itself and ask to see the proof of ownership. If the other person refuses, that is a serious reason to end the conversation.
Hypothetical example: the washing machine breaks
A few months after moving in, the washing machine listed in the inventory stops working. The tenant writes to the landlord right away, attaches a photo and does not try to fix it themselves. The parties open the agreement, find the clause on repairs and decide who calls the repair person. The arrangement and the receipt stay in their messages.
Hypothetical example: a withheld security deposit
At move-out, the landlord says they will keep the security deposit because of a stain on the sofa. The tenant pulls out the report and inventory: if the stain was noted at move-in, that is a strong argument. If not, the parties discuss what part of the deposit covers the damage and put the outcome in writing. If they cannot agree, the tenant can send a written claim.
Hypothetical example: renewal after a year
The agreement was concluded for more than a year, and about three months remain before it ends. The landlord is willing to keep letting the flat, but on different terms. Under Article 684, no later than three months before the term ends, the landlord must offer the tenant renewal on the same or other terms or give notice of refusal. The tenant, in turn, has a priority right to a new agreement, and the parties put the new terms in writing.
Hypothetical example: a room in a shared flat
The tenant rents one room, while strangers live in the others. The agreement should describe exactly which room is let, which shared spaces may be used and how utility costs are split. It also helps to agree separately on keys, guests and cleaning, so these questions are not settled in the heat of a conflict.
Hypothetical example: letting a flat for the first time
An owner has decided to let their flat for the first time and does not know where to start. They should prepare a written agreement, think through the security deposit terms, draw up an inventory and report, and discuss utilities, guests and pets. In addition, rental income is taxable in Russia, and how the tax is paid depends on the owner's status, which is worth checking on the Russian Federal Tax Service website.
Related sections
- Guides
Step-by-step checklists: verifying the owner, the handover report and inventory, utilities, breakdowns, guests and pets, ending the lease and getting the deposit back.
- Documents
The tenancy agreement, handover report, inventory, proof of payment, power of attorney and notice of termination: why you need them and what to check.
- FAQ
Short answers about the form and term of the agreement, the security deposit and utilities, moving out, disputes and scams.
- Basics
What residential tenancy is, what each party is expected to do, how long an agreement can last and which payments it should cover.
Sources
- Russian Civil Code, Chapter 35 "Tenancy of Residential Premises"
- Russian Civil Code, Article 381.1 "Security Deposit"
This guide summarizes Chapter 35 of the Russian Civil Code, "Tenancy of Residential Premises," and Article 381.1 on the security deposit. The rules change from time to time, so before signing, check the current version on the official legal information portal and the text of your own agreement, and if a dispute arises, talk to a lawyer.