Bruce Marks speaks at RT’s Sanchez Effect in Moscow, Russia

American Perspectives on Global Affairs from Moscow In a recent episode of RT’s Sanchez Effect, host Rick Sanchez welcomed Bruce Marks, a former...

Bruce Marks speaks at ThoughtLeaders4’s Sovereign & States Litigation Summit USA

We’re pleased to announce that Bruce Marks, Founder and Managing Member of Marks & Sokolov, will be speaking at ThoughtLeaders4’s Sovereign...

Bruce Marks Speaks at the Pravo.RU Conference

On September 19, Bruce Marks, Founder and Managing Director of Marks & Sokolov, speaks at the session “Liability Under Control” during...

Sergei Sokolov speaks at the Forbes Federal Legal Forum 2025

On 18 September 2025, Forbes Russia will host the annual Federal Legal Forum in Moscow, a central event for the Russian legal community focusing on...

Marks & Sokolov Secures Another OFAC License for Release of Blocked Russian Client Funds

Marks & Sokolov is pleased to announce another success in our sanctions-related practice: we have obtained an OFAC license authorizing the...

​Updates on the recent Russian-related § 1782 applications – U.S. courts weigh discovery requests tied to sanctions, shareholder disputes, and asset battles.

Section 1782 of Title 28 of the U.S. Code allows parties to seek discovery in U.S. courts for use in foreign proceedings. In recent years, Russian...

COVID-19 Update: Russia Announces New Measure To Support Tenants (Federal law No. 166-FZ dated June 8, 2020)

by | Jun 9, 2020 | Blog

It is expected that as a result of Russia’s many Covid-19 related restrictions on travel and economic activity, many commercial tenants will be unable to use leased properties to generate income to pay rent, while many landlords will continue to be obligated to make mortgage payments on the property.  As a result, it is likely that many disputes between landlords and tenants will arise centered on the terms and conditions of their commercial property leases.

The new Federal law No 166-FZ enacted on June 8, 2020 is designed to protect the interests of certain commercial tenants.

According to the amendments, small and medium size businesses most affected by the pandemic renting certain types of commercial properties, will be entitled to request that the landlords reduce rent rates for the term of up to one year.  The industries considered most affected by the pandemic include air carriage, airports, automobile carriage; tourism; culture, entertainment; health, fitness and sports; hotel business etc.

If the landlord and tenant are unable to reach an agreement within 14 business days after a request to reduce rent, the tenant may unilaterally terminate the lease in accordance with Civil Code, Article 450.1, and be released from liability to pay damages and penalties related to early termination of the lease. At the same time, the landlord will be entitled to retain any security deposit on hand. If you would like more information about how your commercial lease may be affected by these amendments, please contact Grigory Galkin at ggalkin@mslegal.com or Sergey Sokolov at ssokolov@mslegal.com.