The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (SDRF) adopted in its third reading a bill restricting the sale of real estate purchased by small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) from the state.

Businesses will now be able to dispose of such properties only after two years have passed from the date of title registration. If the purchase was made in installments, the two-year period will only begin after full payment and the lien entry in the Unified State Register of Real Estate (USRRE).

Any transactions concluded in violation of this restriction will be deemed null and void. Rosreestr is authorized to register ownership simultaneously with the imposition of the corresponding restriction.

Removal of the encumbrance will be carried out by application after the moratorium ends.

The new rules are expected to come into effect on March 1, 2027.

Conclusion:

This "cooling-off period" must be taken into account when planning transactions to purchase leased state property. A business model that involves the rapid resale of privatized assets will become legally impossible, requiring a revision of SME investment strategies.