Expenses and Payments

Communal Apartment

A communal, or rather shared apartment is the type of an apartment where several people or even families can live together sharing the same kitchen and bathroom. Usually this is how such a shared apartment looks: there is a long hall in the middle of the apartment; one door of the hall leads to the shared kitchen, and another door leads to the shared bathroom; other doors of the shared apartment lead to the separate or adjoining rooms that can belong to one person or a whole family. Such families cluster together in one shared apartment and take turns to cook in the kitchen, to use the bathroom or to clean the shared area. Some very old apartments of this type may have no showers and baths.

It is cheaper to buy a shared apartment than a normal apartment in Russia, but as Russians say, in such cases, you are shopping for good co-dwellers, or neighbors, rather than for an apartment itself, because the peace and harmony of your coexistence depends on them.

Country House

Families in Russian villages, small towns and other countryside have their own houses. Russian housing in the countryside is pretty down in price compared to apartments and houses in the city. Until recently such houses had their own independent heating systems and wells. However, now the Russian government provides Russian housing in the countryside with a gas heating system and a centralized water system for a reasonable price. These houses come with a large piece of land which is enough for a Russian family to grow plants and provide themselves with food.

Renting in Russia

Types of Contracts

If you are renting as an individual for more than one year you may enter into a contract good for up to five years. This type of contract is referred to as a “dogovor naima” (residential lease agreement) and states that the landlord must provide the tenant with a minimum of three months prior notice in terminating a lease at the end of the rental period. If the landlord does not provide three months notice in terminating a lease the tenant has the preferential right to renew the lease by simply remaining in the flat and continuing to pay rent.

If your company is renting private housing for one year or longer, your company must conclude a “dogovor arenda” (commercial lease agreement) with the landlord. The contract must be registered with Moscom Registratsi and does not allow the tenant the same preferential right to renewing the “dogovor naima”.

If you are renting for less than one year there is no registration involved. In this case, it is absolutely necessary to have both the landlord’s and the tenant’s signed copies of the lease agreement notarized. Although this can be costly, and landlords often balk at having to spend an afternoon at a notary office, notarizing a rental contract is the only way of protecting yourself should any issues arise.

Expenses and Payments

It is standard for your landlord to request a security deposit equaling one month’s rent. Another expense you may occur is an agent fee (if you use such an agency), which also usually entails one month’s rent paid to the agent who finds and negotiates the deal. By offering the agent a higher fee in exchange for negotiating a lower rent, or even registration issues, some renters have found they can effectively gain better long-term deals on their apartments for a smaller one-time fee.

The landlord is responsible for maintaining proper care of the rental unit and providing basic utilities or ensuring their provision to the tenant for a fee. The agreement should state which party is responsible for fixing and/or replacing what (i.e. plumbing, appliances, etc.).

The tenant is responsible for paying utilities fees separately unless otherwise outlined in the lease agreement. Depending on the location and size of the apartment, as well as depending on the number of people living there, this can amount to an additional monthly expense of 1000-40000 RUR (about 40-150 USD). Ask the landlord to show you utility bills from recent months so that you know how much this extra expense will be. Make sure all information regarding utility payments is stipulated in the contract.

If you intend to pay your rent in cash (rather than, for example, by wire transfer) make sure you receive signed receipts from your landlord for any money given. Without receipts you will not be able to prove that you have paid your rent and your landlord will have the opportunity to use this against you.

Дата добавления: 2015-12-08