Sale agreement and notarial deed: the difference

The compromis, the private sale agreement, records the agreement between buyer and seller: the property, the price and the conditions. Once both parties sign, the sale is in principle final.

The buyer often pays a deposit at the sale agreement, which the notary holds in custody until the deed.

The authentic deed is executed at the notary and provides the official transfer of ownership. Only then are the keys handed over and the rest of the price paid.

The sale agreement must be registered within four months after signing. That is why buyer and seller usually sign the deed within that period: the notary then registers everything in one go. It is not a legal maximum for the deed itself; you agree the date in the sale agreement. In that period the notary arranges the necessary searches and the registration duty, which as a rule is paid by the buyer, with a reduced rate for the sole family home.

Is an accepted sale agreement binding?

Yes. Once buyer and seller sign the sale agreement, the sale is in principle final. A later withdrawal can lead to compensation.

How much time is there between sale agreement and deed?

Usually at most four months. The sale agreement must be registered within four months and in practice the notary does that with the deed. The precise date buyer and seller agree in the sale agreement.