In Russia, experts outline when selling part of a house may be deemed invalid
State Duma deputy Nikita Chaplin outlined the conditions under which a transaction involving the sale of a share in a house could be considered void. The guidance, reported by RIA News, highlights practical hurdles that frequently affect private housing markets in regional Russia.
The deputy noted that in many privately owned houses there are multiple entrances, each serving a separate owner. Such configurations can complicate sales because banks are often reluctant to extend mortgages for purchases that involve more than one owner of a single property. In addition, residents who already share ownership tend to have priority rights when a portion of the house is sold or transferred, which can delay or derail a proposed purchase.
Chaplin stressed that buyers attempting to acquire half of a house should obtain a formal disapproval certificate from the other residents in the property before finalizing the deal. Without this clearance, the transaction risks being assessed as illegal and unenforceable in law, according to the deputy.
There is also the possibility to donate a portion of real estate and land to another person without neighbor notification, but such actions can backfire. If a court later interprets the transfer as a sale, the transaction may be struck down as invalid. These scenarios show the precarious nature of partial-property arrangements and the importance of proper documentation and neighbor consent in such dealings [Citation: RIA News].
Looking ahead, the real estate environment in Russia appears to face a challenging period. Independent experts interviewed by socialbites.ca suggest signs of overheating in both housing and mortgage markets, though they anticipate stabilization as conditions evolve and banks adjust to regulatory and market signals [Citation: socialbites.ca].
In a broader European context, Finland previously discussed the possibility of imposing stricter controls on real estate transactions involving Russian buyers, underscoring how cross-border political and regulatory shifts can influence domestic property markets and investor confidence [Citation: as reported].