Support with an apartment purchase in Almaty, from the deposit to the keys

Deposit vs advance payment in Kazakhstan

A deposit (zadatok) protects both sides. If the buyer changes their mind, the seller keeps it. If the seller backs out or raises the price, they return double the deposit. Under the Civil Code a deposit agreement must be in writing for any amount, otherwise the money counts as an advance.

An advance is just a prepayment. It is returned whoever breaks off the deal, and you can't penalize the seller for walking away. A deposit is usually around 10% of the price, but the amount is negotiable.

In the agreement I set out the parties' details, the property with its cadastral number, the deposit amount, the full price in tenge, the deadline for the main deal and the conditions under which the deposit is returned without penalty, for example if the check turns up an arrest. Notarization isn't required, but I recommend it.

How to negotiate the price of an apartment in Almaty

Negotiation starts with facts, not with asking for a discount. From 2022 at Kaspi Bank I selected premises for branches and Magnum stores and worked through about 140 properties, and in almost every one the negotiation decided whether the location would pay off. That's where I got used to coming to an owner with numbers.

For an apartment those numbers are sale prices of similar properties, time on the market, the cost of fixing the defects I found at the viewing, and the state of the market. In 2026 there are 7–8 resale listings per buyer in Almaty, and properties priced at 100–200 million ₸ sell slowly. That's an argument, if it's made calmly and with the figures to back it.

How the deal works at the notary

A notary certifies the purchase contract. They verify the parties' identities, authority and spousal consent and file the contract for registration electronically. The buyer becomes the owner only after registration; a signed contract alone doesn't do that.

I choose the notary in advance and send them the documents ahead of time so there are no surprises on the day. If you're a foreigner, you need an IIN (individual identification number) and a notarized translation of your passport, and if a representative signs for you, a power of attorney with an apostille or consular legalization.

How to pay for an apartment safely

The most transparent way is a bank transfer to the seller's account named in the contract. For new builds there is no other way: bank transfer only, and only after the DDU (shared participation agreement) is registered.

On the resale market a bank safe deposit box is common: the money goes in at signing, and the seller gets access after title is registered to the buyer. The law on notaries also allows money to be placed on a notary's deposit, but not every notary handles such payments. I agree the exact scheme with the notary and the bank for your deal.

Keep in mind that banks and notaries, as entities subject to financial monitoring, can ask where the money came from, and for individuals currency control starts at $10,000 per transaction.

Where deals most often go wrong

• The deposit was handed over against a receipt "towards payment" without the word "deposit" and without a deal deadline
• The price in the contract was understated "to pay less tax": in a dispute you can only recover the amount in the contract
• Money was paid before title was registered, with no safe deposit box or other protection
• An arrest appeared between the deposit and the deal, and nobody ordered the certificate again
• Utility debts and registered residents weren't covered in the contract

Handing over the keys and utility accounts

After registration we sign a handover report. I record the meter readings, check certificates showing no debts for utilities and owners' association (OSI) fees, and the set of keys, remotes and intercom codes.

Then the utility accounts are transferred to your name. If you're buying to rent out, I connect you with tenants straight away or help find them; if you're buying to renovate, I can recommend a crew I've tested on my own properties.

What deal support includes

The commission on a purchase starts at 1%, and we fix the scope and price of the support in writing before we start. You get the level of service I got used to at Kaspi: quick answers, a clear plan and one person responsible for the result.

• The deposit agreement and agreeing terms with the seller
• Price negotiation backed by numbers
• Preparing documents, choosing the notary, a repeat check on the day of the deal
• Agreeing the payment scheme with the bank and the notary
• Following the registration, the handover report, transferring the accounts