A thorough checklist:
how to choose a plot of land to buy

If you are here, it looks like you have decided to buy a plot of land for living or for a summer house, in a gardening association or in the private sector with the status of individual housing construction - it doesn’t matter, in any case this checklist will help you.

Evaluate each item. If necessary, ask for additional information. Once you know all the potential options, as described below, making a choice will be much easier. Do not trust emotions, you are buying land for many years - cold calculation should be in effect here.

1. District

When choosing an area to purchase a plot of land, it is important to consider several factors:

• Proximity to an airport, landfill, farm, poultry farm or factory. These facilities may create noise, air pollution and other inconveniences.
• Accessibility of shops, pharmacies, clinics and construction markets. The presence of these facilities is important for everyday life.
• Public transport. The presence of buses and stations with train stops will make travel easier.

2. Access to water

Having a river or lake within walking distance for swimming is a big advantage. It will allow you to enjoy nature and spend time in the fresh air. However, it is worth considering that proximity to water bodies can increase the risk of flooding and flooding.

3. Risk of flooding

It is important to assess the natural and man-made risks associated with the likelihood of reservoir overflows and dam failures. This will help to avoid potential problems in the future. For example, if the site is located in a lowland or near water bodies, there is a risk of flooding during heavy rains or snowmelt.

4. Snakes

Having snakes in your neighborhood can be unpleasant and dangerous. It is important to determine how snake-infested your area is before making a final decision. For example, if your property is in a wooded or swampy area, you may be at a higher risk of encountering snakes.

5. Local authorities’ development plans

It is necessary to find out whether there are plans to build something large nearby that could affect the infrastructure, quality of life, and even the existence of the village. For example, if a major highway or industrial facility is planned nearby, this could lead to noise, air pollution, and other inconveniences.

6. Internet

Check for 4G network coverage and the work of providers that provide the ability to connect to the Internet via cable. This is important for work, especially if you plan to work remotely, for study and entertainment. For example, if the site is located far from large settlements, access to the Internet may be limited.

7. Village status

Find out the specifics of individual housing construction, gardening non-profit partnerships, gardening non-profit partnerships and other forms of ownership. This will help you understand the rights and obligations associated with owning a plot. For example, gardening non-profit partnerships may impose restrictions on the use of a plot, as well as obligations to pay fees and participate in general meetings.

IZHS (Individual Housing Construction)

• Location: Within populated areas, usually in cottage villages.
• Features: Houses must meet certain architectural requirements and have all necessary communications.
• Advantages: Developed infrastructure, proximity to social facilities.
• Disadvantages: High prices for land and construction.

SNT (Gardening Non-Commercial Partnership)

• Location: Outside populated areas, but often in close proximity to them.
• Features: Construction of a summer house and use of land for growing agricultural crops are permitted.
• Advantages: Lower cost of land compared to individual housing construction.
• Disadvantages: Restrictions on land use and construction, need to pay fees.

DNP (Dacha Non-Commercial Partnership)

• Location: Outside populated areas, but often in close proximity to them.
• Features: Construction of a country house, installation of water supply and gas supply is permitted.
• Advantages: Possibility of organizing infrastructure and communications.
• Disadvantages: Need to pay fees, possible restrictions on land use.

LPH (Personal subsidiary farm)

• Location: Outside populated areas, but often in close proximity to them.
• Features: Construction of buildings for various purposes, including residential buildings, is permitted.
• Advantages: Possibility of farming and income from selling products.
• Disadvantages: The need to comply with certain rules and regulations related to running a private household.

The choice between these forms of ownership depends on the goals and preferences. Individual housing construction is suitable for those who want to live in a house with developed infrastructure, SNT - for lovers of gardening and outdoor recreation, DNP - for those who want to organize their own settlement with common communications, and LPH - for those who plan to engage in agriculture and receive income from their activities.

8. Principle of electricity supply

Find out how the plots are connected, whether there are direct contracts with the sales organization or whether the electricity is supplied by an intermediary (for example, the village or partnership itself). This can affect the cost, quality of services and the risks of outages. For example, if the plot is connected to the power grid through an intermediary, this can lead to additional costs and a decrease in the stability of the power supply.

9. Water

Check whether there is a centralized water supply on the territory of the village, whether there are restrictions on the volume of water. If water is supplied centrally, check how the consumed volume is charged. If there is no common water, find out the condition of the well or borehole on the site. If the borehole requires a license, make sure it is there. Be sure to evaluate the quality of the water.

10. Road conditions

Check the condition of the access roads to the site and the village. Asphalt, crushed stone, concrete slabs - all this affects the convenience of movement. For example, if the roads are in poor condition, this can complicate access to the site and cause additional costs for car repairs, and also increase the time of access.

11. Garbage

Find out how waste removal is organised and where the nearest container site is. This will help to maintain cleanliness and order. For example, if waste is not removed regularly, this can lead to environmental pollution and the appearance of rodents and insects.

12. Debts

If the plot is in a gardening association, check whether there are any debts to the association for it. Otherwise, it may become a problem in the future.

13. Allocated power

Estimate the maximum electrical power. Will it be enough to heat water, operate pumps, heat and other needs? For example, if the allocated power is not enough to meet all needs, it may be necessary to install additional generators or solar panels or pay for a contract with the supplier to increase the limit and related work.

14. Plot size

Make sure that the size of the plot meets your needs. Compare the size in the documents and the actual size. Check if there is a seizure of public, municipal or forestry lands. If the plot is too small for your plans, this may limit the possibilities for construction and landscaping. If the fence is further than it should be, this will sooner or later lead to the need to bring the territory into compliance with the cadastral map. A particularly insidious case is the presence of capital buildings on the seized territory.

15. Land surveying

Check the cadastral number on the Rosreestr website. Make sure there are no encumbrances. For example, if the plot has encumbrances, this may limit its use, establish the need for regular access to the plot by representatives of supervisory authorities, ensure the presence of common communications on the plot, or require additional costs for their removal.

16. Location in the village

Assess what is near the site. Forests can create safety risks, and abandoned sites can create safety, fire and other risks. An unkempt pond will certainly be a home for mosquitoes and other insects. If there is an abandoned site near the site, it can attract the attention of homeless people, various migrants, drug addicts and young people, become a source of fires and a spreader of unwanted vegetation, such as hogweed.

17. Relief

A low-lying site may collect water after rains and create problems in the spring. A high slope may provide additional opportunities for landscaping, but will require an increased budget for slope arrangement. Check if there is a landslide hazard at the site boundary. For example, if the site is located on a slope, this may require additional soil stabilization and terraces to prevent landslides.

18. What’s on the site?

Garbage, old buildings, unwanted vegetation, old and hazardous trees. Prepare for demolition of buildings if required - the budget for demolition of old houses and removal of construction waste will unpleasantly surprise you.

19. Vegetation

Evaluate useful garden plants and vegetation that will need to be removed. If certain types of plants are growing on the site, this may indicate the presence of groundwater or other soil characteristics.

The following plants indicate that groundwater is located close to the surface:

• Foxglove, hemlock, cinquefoil, coltsfoot, autumn crocus, horse sorrel, sedge, cattail, horsetail and nettle.
• Meadowsweet, black poplar, oleaster, reed, forest bulrush and sand reed are evidence of the presence of water at a depth of up to 3 meters.
• Artemisia paniculata, Artemisia sandy, and Licorice grow in areas where groundwater is at least 5 meters deep.

Trees such as willow, oak, and alder may also indicate the presence of a high water level. Their inclined crowns may indicate the specific location of the water.

20. Neighbors

It is worth learning as much about your neighbors as possible. Often, neighbors are something that is very difficult to influence. Even the reason for selling a plot of land may be an unpleasant neighborhood. There are a great many options and the path to court is not always acceptable or possible. Inappropriate behavior, beekeeping, keeping poultry or animals, frequent drunkenness, noisy or aggressive behavior - all this can create serious inconveniences for you. On the other hand, if the neighbors are friendly and willing to help, this can make your life on the plot more pleasant.