Members of Generation Z in Russia have begun renting newly built apartments without interior finishing in a widespread effort to save money following steep rent increases across major cities, according to media reports.
The trend involves young tenants leasing bare white-box properties in newly constructed residential buildings rather than fully decorated units. According to real estate agent Mark Gershkovich, interest in these unfinished rental apartments among young people in Moscow and Saint Petersburg rose significantly after rental housing prices experienced a sharp spike at the end of 2024.
Unfinished apartments, commonly referred to in the housing market as white-box or shell-and-core units, are delivered by developers with bare concrete walls and basic utility hookups, but lack flooring, interior doors, wall paint, or domestic fixtures. Because these properties require work before they resemble traditional homes, landlords offer them on the rental market at rates several times lower than fully renovated and furnished apartments.
Decorating bare concrete on a budget
Rather than investing in permanent renovations, young tenants bring all their basic living necessities with them when moving into the bare units. They create domestic comfort using inexpensive, portable items such as rugs and floor lamps to soften the unpainted concrete interiors.
Tenants are also cutting expenses on household furnishings by purchasing second-hand items. Young renters frequently buy used furniture directly from individuals who are clearing out unwanted interior decor and seeking to avoid paying commercial municipal fees for the disposal of bulky waste.
The movement has gained noticeable momentum in Russia's major metropolitan areas, where housing inflation has placed an increasing financial burden on younger demographics entering the workforce.
Moscow listings surge past five hundred
Calculations compiled by the Russian Telegram news channel Baza show that there are currently more than 500 listings for rental apartments with rough concrete finishing available on the market in the capital city of Moscow. Monthly rental prices for these basic units start from 10,000 rubles.
The preference for low-cost living arrangements aligns with broader financial sacrifices young adults in the country are making to secure housing stability. Previous findings revealed that 40 percent of young Russians actively give up taking annual vacations in order to save money toward purchasing their own real estate.
