Beginning in May, your land will be confiscated.
Starting from March 1, 2025, a shake-up in Russia's land ownership rules is underway.
Saying goodbye to mere ownership—you'll now need to make some moves, or risk losing the plot. Abandoned plots are up for grabs, so better not dilly-dally!
Who faces the axe?
Anyone holding a plot within a town, a gardening area, an allotment, or a summer home. You've just got three years, whether you recently bought the land or you've been the proud owner for ages, to give your plot a fresh look, according to our research.
What's the deal?
Officials have spelled out what an abandoned plot looks like:
- It's been empty for five years with no signs of life or construction.
- Buildings are in ruins and nobody is fixing 'em.
- The plot is overrun with weeds and garbage more than halfway.
So, lock those weeds up and take out the trash, dude! Maybe level the ground or start building on your plot depending on its intended use.
The Clock is Ticking
- Picked up your plot after March 2025? Your three-year clock starts ticking from the registration date.
- Been sitting on that land for a while? Your three-year clock starts ticking from March 1, 2025. That means you've got until March 2028 to get your act together.
What if you don't budge?
First, expect a friendly reminder—a notice to get those violations under control. Ignore it at your peril, as you may find yourself in court. Land seizure might be on the cards, but it's a lengthy process. A land grab on a mass scale by 2028 is not expected, so don't be a lazy bonehead!
The Why Factor
The plan is to prevent land from turning into one big wilderness. Local authorities and Rosreestr will be the enforcers, so if you've been kicking that overgrown allotment down the road or dreaming of that perfect plot, now's the time to make a move! And set a deadline, buddy.
- Anyone who owns a plot within a town, a gardening area, an allotment, or a summer home is at risk, as they have till March 2028 to make changes to their plots or risk losing them.
- The definition of an abandoned plot, according to officials, includes plots that have been empty for five years with no signs of life or construction, buildings in ruins, and overgrowth of weeds and garbage.
- The three-year deadline for making changes to a plot starts ticking from either the date of registration (for those who bought their plots after March 2025) or March 1, 2025 (for long-time owners).
- Neglecting the plot may lead to a series of escalating actions, starting with a notice, followed by potential court cases, and eventual land seizure, although a large-scale land grab is not expected by 2028. The aim is to prevent large expanses of land from becoming wild and unproductive, and to encourage investing and development in real estate.
