The State Duma of the Russian Federation proposed introducing a cooling-off period for the sale of apartments

Deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation proposed to introduce a cooling period – freezing of funds – when concluding real estate transactions. The measure is aimed at protecting bona fide buyers, RIA Novosti writes.

Amendments to the law “On State Registration of Real Estate” were put forward by deputies from the “A Just Russia” faction, The relevant document is at the disposal of the news agency. Party Chairman Sergei Mironov clarified that the cooling-off period presupposes the completion of a transaction only after seven days from the date of conclusion of the agreement for the sale and purchase of apartments.

“During this time, the seller will evaluate his actions, and if he understands that he is under the influence of scammers, he will be able to refuse to sell the home,” he explained.

The party leader noted that the use of cash in such transactions is excluded; transfer of funds will be possible only to the seller’s accounts. In addition, the seller of the only home will have to prove that he has a place to live.

“Suppose he has a relative with whom he is going to move after the sale of the apartment. So this relative will have to provide a notarized consent that he will allow this person to come to him,” explained Sergei Mironov.

The parliamentarian believes that the bill should come into force as soon as possible – from January 1, 2026. The introduction of such a procedure for concluding transactions will help solve the country's problem with fraud in the sale of apartments, widely known as the “granny scheme” or “granny terror”.

The fact is that recently situations have spread in Russia when, after a transaction, the former owners of the living space, often elderly people, demand through the court that their apartments be returned to them and say that they have become victims of swindlers.