The State Duma talked about the risks of buying an apartment with debts

Utility bills accumulated by the previous owner of the apartment usually do not pass to the new owner, but arrears on capital repairs are an exception. Nikita Chaplin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes (United Russia), announced this on August 14.

"Light, water, gas, heating, maintenance and repair of common property — according to the law, the one who owned the apartment during the accrual period is responsible for all this. The new owner begins to pay only from the moment of registration of ownership," Chaplin explained to TASS.

Chaplin recommended requesting a certificate of absence of debt from the seller before the transaction. Such a document can be obtained from a management company, HOA, MFC, or through online services, and it is better to issue it shortly before purchase.

The parliamentarian also advised to independently check the charges through Gosuslugi, the GIS housing and communal services system or the bank's application. If the debt is found, it can be taken into account during the bidding process or a condition for repayment of the debt by the seller can be specified in the contract.

After completing the transaction, the new owner must reissue the personal account in his name, providing the necessary documents to the management company.

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Gennady Karpov, General Director of the Strategy Law Bureau, said on July 7 that most people perceive inheriting real estate as an asset, but they forget that serious risks can pass along with the rights to the heir. According to the lawyer, the first thing that heirs often underestimate is the debts of the testator. If the deceased had loans, legal disputes or other financial obligations, creditors can present their claims to the heirs.