Russia Turns to Digital Rental Contracts Through State Portal

Renters and landlords can now sign leases entirely online, cutting paperwork and boosting security

Russia has launched a new system that lets tenants and landlords finalize rental agreements through the government’s 'Gosuslugi' portal. The feature, integrated with the real estate platform 'Cian,' allows people to complete leases remotely—even if they live in different cities.

All parties are verified through the government portal, with documents carefully checked to ensure security. Ownership rights are automatically confirmed, eliminating the risk of someone renting out an apartment they do not own. Most fields in the contract are auto-filled, minimizing human error.

Once a contract is signed, tenants can immediately apply for temporary registration online. Landlords or agents list properties with the option of digital leasing, and the system generates a link where the contract is created with any extra conditions included.

After the contract is formed, a QR code is generated for the tenant. Scanning it opens the agreement in 'Gosuslugi,' where the tenant reviews the details. If approved, the document is signed electronically using 'Goskey.'

For temporary registrations, the system automatically generates an application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. All fields are pre-filled—users only need to review and send the request. The response then arrives directly in their personal account on 'Gosuslugi,' eliminating the need for an in-person visit.