How to check an apartment's legal cleanliness before buying
What a USRR extract shows, how to check the title history, and how to avoid buying an apartment with an encumbrance.
We will check your property before the deal
Describe the property by phone - we will tell you which risks apply to it specifically.
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
every day
Most apartment problems don't surface when the contract is signed - they show up months after the deal, when someone else's claim, a debt or a seizure turns up that the buyer never knew about. Here is what to check before you hand over any money.
What a USRR extract shows
An extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate is the main document for checking a property. It lists the current owner, the area and address, and any encumbrances - a mortgage, a seizure, a pledge, or a court ban on registration actions. Order a fresh extract right before the deal - don't rely on a copy the seller shows you.
Title history: why the last deal alone isn't enough
An extended USRR extract shows the full chain of previous owners. If the apartment changed hands several times in a short period, or the current owner got it through inheritance, it's worth finding out why - frequent resales can sometimes signal a hidden problem, and inheritance carries a risk of other heirs turning up later who never claimed their share in time.
Encumbrances, seizures and pledges
If the apartment is mortgaged, pledged to a third party, or under seizure, the deal can only go through with the bank's consent or after the encumbrance is lifted before signing. You can check this through the USRR extract - the restrictions section is filled in if such encumbrances are registered.
What to check before buying
- A fresh USRR extract for the property - owner, encumbrances, seizures.
- The seller's passport and, if the deal is by power of attorney, its validity through the notary registry.
- The spouse's consent to sell, if the apartment was bought during marriage.
- No registered minors whose rights might require guardianship authority involvement.
- No utility debts or court disputes tied to the property.
When it's worth bringing in a lawyer
A self-check covers the basic risks, but it's no substitute for legal review in complex cases - a purchase by power of attorney, an inherited apartment, several owners, or a deal using maternity capital. In these situations, the cost of a mistake is higher than a consultation.
Want the property checked for you
Send us the address and cadastral number by phone - we will prepare a legal cleanliness report before you pay a deposit.
8 909 440-80-80