The Savyolovsky District Court of Moscow has prohibited the publication of rental housing advertisements that impose restrictions based on national or religious grounds.

“No Roma, Don’t Call!”

The lawsuit was filed by the prosecutor’s office. The reason for this was rental advertisements on specialized websites where property owners included conditions such as: “For Muslims only!”, “No Roma, don’t call!”, or “For Slavs only”. The court ruled that such wording violates the law, and their distribution is now banned in Russia.

However, even before the ban, real estate market experts noted that in practice, hidden discrimination might persist. Landlords may continue to refuse migrants, but will simply stop writing about it in their ads.

It was also added that the issue of renting is not directly related to nationality; supposedly all landlords have their own lists of requirements based on which they can refuse anyone—such as place of work and registration, income level, rental conditions, and the purpose of coming to a particular city. It was emphasized that the property owner has the right to choose whom to entrust their property to, and the main concern for them is reliability.

It was also noted that renting to citizens from nearby countries can be more profitable, as the rental rate in this case increases by 5–10%. The price can also be higher when a person moves in with a pet or a small child.

Not Just Housing

The ban on nationality-based restrictions is not limited to rentals. From February to March 2025, courts in the capital reviewed lawsuits against employers who posted job vacancies with similar wording. Examples included ads seeking construction workers, a baker-chef, a nanny, and actors of “Slavic appearance”.

The courts deemed such requirements illegal, citing the Labor Code and the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The law prohibits restricting applicants’ rights based on race, gender, or nationality and guarantees freedom of choice of profession. Those who sow discrimination at work face fines: for individuals—from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles, for legal entities—from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles.

Savyolovsky District Court

The Savyolovsky District Court is a general jurisdiction court in Moscow, Russia, handling civil and criminal cases for its local district. It operates within the modern Russian judicial system, which was re-established following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The court’s history is tied to the post-Soviet judicial reforms of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with a history dating back to its founding in 1147. It is a major political, economic, and cultural center, historically serving as the capital of the medieval Grand Duchy of Moscow, the Tsardom of Russia, and the Soviet Union. The city is renowned for its iconic landmarks, including the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Russia

Russia is a vast transcontinental nation with a rich history spanning over a millennium, from the medieval state of Kievan Rus’ to the powerful Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. Its cultural landscape is defined by iconic sites like the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, and numerous historic Orthodox cathedrals, reflecting its complex blend of European and Asian influences.

Labor Code

The Labor Code is a comprehensive legal framework that establishes the rights and obligations of workers and employers, governing the employment relationship. Its history is rooted in the industrial revolution, evolving from early worker protections and union advocacy into modern statutes that address wages, working conditions, and safety. These codes are fundamental to social policy in many nations, aiming to ensure fair labor practices and economic justice.

Constitution of the Russian Federation

The Constitution of the Russian Federation is the supreme law of Russia, adopted by national referendum on December 12, 1993. It replaced the previous Soviet-era constitution and established Russia as a democratic, federal state with a republican form of government, defining the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.