{"id":4694,"date":"2026-08-20T14:31:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T11:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/?p=4694"},"modified":"2026-08-19T14:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T11:44:12","slug":"orenda-payu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/en\/blog\/orenda-payu\/","title":{"rendered":"Leasing a land share in 2026: has the contract been automatically renewed, and how can it be terminated with an unscrupulous tenant?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The automatic one-year extension of agricultural land lease agreements applied only to agreements that expired between 24 February and 19 November 2022. As of 19 November 2022, this provision has been repealed: any agreement that expired after that date is terminated, and the tenant is using the land without legal grounds. An existing agreement may be terminated early through the courts on the grounds of systematic non-payment of rent or the use of the land for purposes other than those intended (Article 32 of the Law \u2018On Land Lease\u2019, Article 141 of the Land Code).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So many rumours have circulated regarding the leasing of land shares over the years of the war that owners often do not know the most important thing: whether their contract is still valid or not. Tenants take advantage of this: they continue to cultivate the land, citing \u2018automatic wartime extension\u2019, even though for most contracts this has long since ceased to apply. Let\u2019s break it down by dates to see what the situation actually is with your contract, how much the tenant should pay, and how to part ways with someone who is breaching the terms.<\/p>\n

Situations can be mirror images of one another, so this article is useful for both parties; if you require assistance with a specific dispute, please visit our services page: land law solicitor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Is<\/p>\n

The main question: is your contract still valid<\/h2>\n

Check the expiry date of the contract:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
When did the contract expire<\/th>\nWhat happens to it in 2026<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
From 24 February 2022 to 19 November 2022<\/td>\nIt was automatically renewed for one year without the consent of the parties (emergency provision under Section X of the Land Code). That additional year has also long since expired \u2014 see below to check whether the contract was renewed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
After 19 November 2022<\/td>\nAutomatic renewal was no longer in effect (Law No. 2698-IX abolished it). The contract terminated on the date specified therein, unless the contract itself contained a renewal clause<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The term is still ongoing<\/td>\nThe contract is valid; early termination is possible only by mutual agreement or through the courts on the grounds of a breach<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Please check the text of the contract itself: many standard contracts contain a clause providing for automatic renewal for the same term if neither party has objected one month before expiry. If such a clause exists and you did not submit an objection in time, the contract may have been renewed under civil law (Article 764 of the Civil Code, Article 33 of the Law \u2018On Land Lease\u2019) \u2014 without any reference to \u2018martial law\u2019.<\/p>\n

The tenant is using the plot without a valid contract<\/h2>\n

This is the most common situation in 2026. Your options:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Request an extract from the State Register of Property Rights: check whether the leasehold right is registered and until what date.<\/li>\n
  2. Send the tenant a written demand to vacate the plot and return it by way of a handover certificate (Article 34 of the Law \u2018On Land Lease\u2019 requires the return of the plot upon termination of the agreement).<\/li>\n
  3. For actual use without a contract, claim the funds retained without justification (Article 1212 of the Civil Code) \u2014 the courts will recover them in the amount of the average rent for the entire period.<\/li>\n
  4. If the tenant refuses to leave \u2014 file a claim for the return of the plot. The registration of the old lease in the register is thereby cancelled.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The agreement is valid, but the tenant is in breach: grounds for termination<\/h2>\n

    Early termination without the tenant\u2019s consent is possible only through the courts (Article 32 of the Law \u2018On Land Lease\u2019). Valid grounds:<\/p>\n