Buying real estate is one of the most important financial decisions — especially if you’re abroad and completing the transaction remotely.
To avoid fraud, unpaid debts, or property seizures, it’s essential to conduct a legal due diligence review in advance.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to perform it remotely.
Documents to Request for Legal Verification
- EGRN Extract (Unified State Register of Real Estate): provides details about the owner, type of rights, limitations, and encumbrances.
- Title Document: sale, gift, or exchange agreement; certificate of ownership; or other legal basis for the title.
- Ownership History: especially important if ownership has changed frequently.
- Spousal Consent: required if the property was acquired during marriage.
- Technical Passport, Floor Plan, and Layout: necessary when there have been renovations or modifications.
Where to Verify the Property’s Legal Status
- Rosreestr (rosreestr.gov.ru): obtain EGRN extracts, ownership history, and encumbrance information.
- Federal Bailiff Service (fssp.gov.ru): check for debts or enforcement proceedings against the seller.
- Bankruptcy Register (bankrot.fedresurs.ru): confirm whether the seller is undergoing bankruptcy.
- Federal Tax Service (nalog.gov.ru): verify company sellers and their registration status.
Verifying the Seller — Key Points
If the seller is an individual:
- Verify passport details;
- Confirm legal capacity and spousal consent (if married).
If acting through a power of attorney:
- Check expiration date, scope of authority, notarization, and apostille if issued abroad;
- Confirm the authenticity of the document.
Possible Encumbrances on the Property
- Mortgage: a bank’s consent is required for the transaction.
- Lease: tenants’ rights may continue after the sale.
- Arrest or Seizure: sale is prohibited until the restriction is lifted.
- Servitude: access or passage rights over the land.
If You Find Any Irregularities
If you detect inconsistencies, restrictions, or questionable documents — pause the transaction immediately and seek advice from a real-estate lawyer.
Checklist: How to Verify a Property Remotely
✅ Updated EGRN extract
✅ Title documents
✅ Seller background check via FSSP
✅ Bankruptcy and debt verification
✅ Power of attorney review (if applicable)
✅ Encumbrance analysis
✅ Legal consultation before signing
Conclusion
The property’s legal integrity is the foundation of a safe purchase.
Even while living abroad, you can perform most checks through official online services or a trusted representative.
However, the most reliable option is to engage a professional lawyer experienced in remote real estate transactions.
If you want to save time and ensure the property is legally clean, contact us — we specialize in assisting international clients with property purchases in Russia.
We’ll verify documents, prepare a power of attorney, and provide full legal representation — all remotely.
📍 Office in Russia (Moscow): +7 (967) 007‑49‑77
📍 Office in Canada (Toronto): +1 647 478‑4290
✉️ info@lawyervrf.com
