Starting from January 13, 2025, real estate donation agreements between individuals must be notarized.

The amendments aim to prevent potential abuses by recipients, particularly in cases where the donor belongs to socially vulnerable groups. Initially, the bill did not apply to donations between close relatives, but this exception was removed in the final version. The notary must ensure that both the donor and the recipient are acting voluntarily, verify the parties’ legal capacity, check for encumbrances on the property, and clarify other legal aspects of the transaction. Additionally, the notary is responsible for explaining the consequences of entering into a donation agreement.
After notarization, the notary will electronically submit the documents to Rosreestr to register the transfer of ownership rights. The registration process will take 24 hours.
The new rules are designed to minimize the risks of fraudulent activities. Previously, a donation agreement for an apartment, a room, or any other real estate could be submitted for state registration in a simple written form. However, under the new regulations, such transactions—regardless of whether they involve close relatives, spouses, or unrelated parties—must now be notarized.