Accommodation in Russia
Searching for accommodation in Russia is a hand-wringing, teeth-grinding experience. Expats will find that house hunting demands as much patience as it does negotiation, and above all else, it requires a good real estate agent.
As in most destinations, accommodation in Russia is varied in terms of structure, style and price. Generally speaking, the closer to the city centre an expat looks to live, the more expensive the monthly rent; these areas are associated with prestige and are thus more costly.
Moscow claims the highest housing prices in the country by far, and even apartments in its periphery suburbs can be more expensive than property in the centre of a secondary city.
Expats should try their best to organise at least some form of short-term accommodation through their employer, if possible, before their arrival. It generally takes at least a one-month period to find accommodation and to sign a lease in Russia.
Expats don’t often buy property in Russia, they prefer to rent property.
First and foremost, expats will need to come to terms with apartment living. Detached houses (akin to single family homes) are primarily available only on the outskirts of the big cities and in rural areas.
Townhouses and apartments (flats) in multi-storey buildings are the primary types of accommodation in the popular expat destinations of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and are often architectural remnants of the psyche of a historical period.
Accommodation in Russia can be either furnished or unfurnished, and as is the case with most things, this is a point that’s easily negotiated. For a price, landlords are happy to remove furniture or add furniture.
Furthermore, in the major cities there are plenty of home furnishing shopping options that expats can peruse to kit-out their new house.
It’s highly recommended expats utilise a real estate agent to assist with the house hunting process. Though some people in Russia will speak English, most will not, and even if you speak Russian it's still best to use an agent. These individuals will only charge you the equivalent of one month's rent, or a small percentage of the purchase price, if you're buying.
Furthermore, online listings and printed material are generally poorly done and of little help.
Real estate agents are in no short supply, but it’s best to use a service provider that another individual can recommend through experience.
A standard lease is written in both English and Russian; insist that a translation is available before you sign. Leases typically last between one and three years, but as always, this point is negotiable.
A month’s security deposit is usually required, and if possible, negotiate that this amount be used to pay the final month of rent. Often, landlords in Russia will find any excuse not to return this payment, even if all inventories is returned as you received it, and even if you left the apartment in better condition than you found it.
Keep in mind that Russia is still largely a cash-based society, so monthly rental payments may need to be paid in notes, though, it’s becoming more coming to make payment via account transfers.
As in most destinations, accommodation in Russia is varied in terms of structure, style and price. Generally speaking, the closer to the city centre an expat looks to live, the more expensive the monthly rent; these areas are associated with prestige and are thus more costly.
Moscow claims the highest housing prices in the country by far, and even apartments in its periphery suburbs can be more expensive than property in the centre of a secondary city.
Expats should try their best to organise at least some form of short-term accommodation through their employer, if possible, before their arrival. It generally takes at least a one-month period to find accommodation and to sign a lease in Russia.
Expats don’t often buy property in Russia, they prefer to rent property.
Types of accommodation in Russia
First and foremost, expats will need to come to terms with apartment living. Detached houses (akin to single family homes) are primarily available only on the outskirts of the big cities and in rural areas.
Townhouses and apartments (flats) in multi-storey buildings are the primary types of accommodation in the popular expat destinations of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and are often architectural remnants of the psyche of a historical period.- Pre-revolutionary style apartments usually have high ceilings, larger rooms, thick walls and parquet floors. The window sills are wide, and make ideal reading spots.
- Soviet-era apartments are small (the largest type of apartment in a Stalin-period building is 120 metres), tend be on the spartan-side, and were established for communal living purposes.
- Western-style apartments usually refer to apartments that have been renovated to remove the former Soviet-style décor and fittings. This form of accommodation is favoured by expats, and is often designed in accord with western-style standards. Fittings may be made with imported materials, and amenities can by lavish.
Accommodation in Russia can be either furnished or unfurnished, and as is the case with most things, this is a point that’s easily negotiated. For a price, landlords are happy to remove furniture or add furniture.
Furthermore, in the major cities there are plenty of home furnishing shopping options that expats can peruse to kit-out their new house.
Finding accommodation in Russia
It’s highly recommended expats utilise a real estate agent to assist with the house hunting process. Though some people in Russia will speak English, most will not, and even if you speak Russian it's still best to use an agent. These individuals will only charge you the equivalent of one month's rent, or a small percentage of the purchase price, if you're buying.
Furthermore, online listings and printed material are generally poorly done and of little help.
Real estate agents are in no short supply, but it’s best to use a service provider that another individual can recommend through experience.
A standard lease is written in both English and Russian; insist that a translation is available before you sign. Leases typically last between one and three years, but as always, this point is negotiable.
A month’s security deposit is usually required, and if possible, negotiate that this amount be used to pay the final month of rent. Often, landlords in Russia will find any excuse not to return this payment, even if all inventories is returned as you received it, and even if you left the apartment in better condition than you found it.
Keep in mind that Russia is still largely a cash-based society, so monthly rental payments may need to be paid in notes, though, it’s becoming more coming to make payment via account transfers.
