Before you sign
How to view the home, make sure you are dealing with the owner or their authorized representative, and which questions to ask before you hand over any money.
keys by contract: a guide to renting a home
Keys by Contract
Renting out a flat or renting one yourself looks simple: you agree, hand over the keys and go your separate ways. The trouble usually starts later, when it turns out the important things were only agreed verbally. This guide explains how a residential tenancy agreement works, what to check before you sign, how to put the money arrangements in writing and how to part ways calmly. We do not let or find housing, and we write for both sides equally.
Keys change hands in a minute. The agreement behind them deserves a slower read.
Where to start
Agreement and payment
What to put in the tenancy agreement: the parties, the home, the rent, the term, who else will live there, and the terms of the security deposit.
While you live there
Who deals with broken appliances, what to do about guests and pets, who pays the utilities and how to agree on all of it.
Moving out and disputes
How to renew or end the agreement, hand the flat back with a report, get the security deposit back and what to do if you cannot reach agreement.
Guide sections
- Basics
What residential tenancy is, what each party is expected to do, how long an agreement can last and which payments it should cover.
- 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.
- Examples
Hypothetical situations: a prepayment "for a viewing," a broken appliance, a withheld security deposit, renewal, a room in a shared flat.
- Updates
How to keep track of changes to the rules on renting a home and where to read the current text of the law. The article catalogue is here too.
- Glossary
A glossary of renting terms: landlord, tenant, short-term tenancy, handover report, security deposit, encumbrance.
- FAQ
Short answers about the form and term of the agreement, the security deposit and utilities, moving out, disputes and scams.
Viewing a flat: five steps
The owner's documents and identity
Ask to see the proof of ownership and a passport and check that the details match. If a representative is showing the flat, they should have a power of attorney from the owner, and it is worth reading in full.
Condition of rooms and appliances
Walk through every room in daylight: windows, doors, floors, plumbing, outlets. Turn on the stove, fridge and washing machine and open the taps. Anything that does not work is best pointed out aloud and written down right away.
Meter readings
Photograph the water and electricity meters, plus the gas meter if the flat has gas, and copy the readings into the report. That way both sides know the starting point for your bills.
Inventory in the report
List the furniture and appliances that stay in the flat and briefly note their condition: scratches, chips, signs of wear. A detailed inventory protects both tenant and landlord when it is time to move out.
Who else has keys
Ask how many sets of keys exist and who holds them. Record in the report how many keys you received, and if someone else keeps a set, agree on when they may come in.
The essentials in brief
Do you let or find housing?
No. Admiralcom is a reference guide, not an agency, a realtor or a listings board. We do not publish offers, search for flats or match tenants with landlords.
How long can a tenancy agreement last?
In Russia, no more than five years; if the agreement does not state a term, it is deemed concluded for five years (Article 683 of the Civil Code). An agreement for up to one year is short-term, and some rules do not apply to it.
Can I move out early?
Yes. The tenant may terminate the agreement at any time by giving the landlord three months' written notice (Article 687). If other people live permanently with the tenant, their written consent is needed.
Does the agreement have to be registered?
The tenancy agreement is made in writing. If it is concluded for a term of at least one year, the encumbrance of ownership of the home under that agreement is subject to state registration (Article 674).
About the project
This domain used to host a different, unrelated site. None of its material has been kept or is reproduced here; this guide has no connection with it, and only the name carries over from the domain.
Today Admiralcom brings together clear explanations of renting a home for people who rent and people who let. The texts are based on Chapter 35 of the Russian Civil Code. We do not name companies or review other people's disputes: once a conflict has started, a lawyer is the one who can help.
Related sections
- Basics
What residential tenancy is, what each party is expected to do, how long an agreement can last and which payments it should cover.
- 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.
Sources
- Russian Civil Code, Chapter 35 "Tenancy of Residential Premises"
- Russian Civil Code, Article 381.1 "Security Deposit"
- Official Internet Portal of Legal Information (general reference)
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.