Weeds over a meter tall and trash on the plot: from September 1 land may be seized for neglect

      On September 1, 2025, official criteria will come into force in Russia under which a plot can be declared abandoned and seized from its owner.

      Grounds for inspection will include weeds, rubbish, lack of fencing, or use of the land for purposes other than intended. A plot may also be declared unused if:

      - more than half of its area is occupied by waste or rubbish

      - no residential house has been built on a plot designated for construction for seven years

      - there is a partially ruined building on the site and the owner has not remedied the damage for over a year

      - more than half of a garden plot is overgrown with weeds taller than one meter.

      Municipal inspectors will record violations and forward the materials to court. In addition to the risk of land seizure, the owner faces a fine of 1–1.5% of the plot’s cadastral value, but not less than 20,000 rubles.