Rental agreements in Moscow are usually prepared by your real estate agent and are rarely notarised. A standard lease is written in two languages - Russian and English. Contracts are relatively short, but the terms may vary, so please read carefully before you sign.
Moscow rental terms usually last from one to three years. An early termination is easy and requires only a one to three month notice to the landlord. Early termination by landlords is not customary and is against Russian legislation, unless a tenant is in breach of an agreement. Most landlords are individuals, and standard rental terms are favourable for a tenant. Landlords usually insist on a right to inspect the property on a regular basis. Rent is denominated in dollars, rubles or less often in euros, and is usually paid monthly or quarterly. Longer pre-payments are made to reduce the rent. Rental payment in cash is still common, however, most landlords accept wire transfers in rubles or dollars. A one-month rent security deposit is required by most of the landlords in Moscow.
