Property law
In Switzerland, the sale of real estate is valid only if executed as an authentic deed. The notary drafts the deed, verifies the legal status of the property, coordinates the financing with the bank and carries the transfer of ownership through to its entry in the land register.
What we do
- Purchase and sale of real estate
- Promise of sale and purchase options
- Creation and amendment of mortgage certificates
- Condominium ownership (PPE): creation, rules, amendment
- Easements, rights of way and building rights
- Gifts of real estate and advances on inheritance
- Rural land law
- Division and ending of co-ownership
How it works
- 01
First meeting
You set out your plans. We check the legal status of the property: land register entries, easements, existing charges and any public-law restrictions.
- 02
Draft deed
We draft the deed and send it to you in advance, together with the explanations you need. You have time to read it and come back to us.
- 03
Signing
The parties meet at the Étude. We read the deed aloud, answer any remaining questions, and each party signs before the notary.
- 04
Registration and follow-up
We file the application with the land register, coordinate payment of the price and taxes, and confirm the transfer once registration is complete.
What is useful to bring
Nothing here is a prerequisite: we obtain whatever is missing ourselves.
- Valid identity document for each party
- The land register extract, if you have one
- The purchase offer or brokerage agreement, if any
- Your bank’s financing agreement
- The marriage contract, for a married couple
Estimating the cost of a property transaction
The Swiss Federation of Notaries provides an online estimator giving a first order of magnitude for property transactions. For a figure matched to your own file, call us.
Open the estimatorFAQ
Who chooses the notary?
In the Canton of Vaud the parties are free to choose their notary by mutual agreement. In practice one is often proposed by the seller, the agent or the bank, but you are under no obligation to accept that proposal.
What does a property sale cost?
The total brings together the notary’s fees, transfer duties and land register charges, and depends on the price and the canton. The Swiss Federation of Notaries provides an online estimator, and we are happy to prepare a figure for your specific case.
How long does it take?
Generally four to eight weeks between the first meeting and entry in the land register, depending on the complexity of the file and the bank’s timelines.
This page sets out the general framework applicable in the Canton of Vaud. It is not a substitute for advice tailored to your circumstances, so do call us to discuss your situation.
A question, a project?
A first meeting serves to establish your situation and tell you what is possible. Call or write to us and we will come back to you promptly.