A real estate expert explained what risks a mortgage defaulter faces in 2026.

      December 29, 2025 12:35 Society

      Mortgage lending has long been a key tool for acquiring housing, whether for personal residence or investment purposes. However, in recent years the market has faced a number of problems related to an increase in the number of debtors and an overheated market. This was told to 360.ru by real estate expert Zara Nazaryan.

      One of the factors that contributed to this was the state program "State Support 2020," which was in effect from April 2020. During that time Russians took out more than 836,000 mortgage loans, which led to a significant rise in property prices and an increase in the number of debtors. Similar problems arose with the family mortgage program, which was launched in 2018. More than 1.3 million mortgages were issued during its operation.

      In addition, many people took out mortgages at base rates without always taking their financial capabilities into account. It is especially difficult for those who were unable to save for a down payment and took out two loans: a consumer loan for the down payment and a mortgage loan. This category of citizens is the most vulnerable to financial shocks.

      To date, the volume of overdue mortgage debt in Russia has exceeded 170 billion rubles, and this amount continues to grow. This raises concerns about the stability of the mortgage market and its ability to cope with borrowers' financial difficulties.

      So what should those who find themselves in a difficult situation and cannot pay their mortgage do? The most important thing is not to postpone dealing with the problem. If you realize that you will not be able to manage payments in the next three months, immediately contact your bank to request debt restructuring.

      Restructuring is a process in which the bank grants the borrower a deferral or reduction of payments for a certain period, usually from 6 to 12 months. However, it is important to remember that payments must not be missed during this period, otherwise the bank may demand immediate repayment of the entire outstanding balance.

      If an agreement with the bank cannot be reached, you need to urgently put the apartment up for sale. This will allow you to obtain funds and pay off part of the debt before you become classified as a non-payer. In that case all processes will become more complicated, and selling the apartment may become difficult.

      If the sale of the apartment fails, the bank may go to court to recover the entire amount of the debt. After that, the enforcement of the property will be handled by a court bailiff. However, even in that case the borrower retains the right to sell the apartment independently. Whoever finds a buyer faster will get the money.

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