A notarised deed is needed to legally seal a sale. The buyer and the seller can use the same notary or call on the services of different notaries. In the latter case, the two notaries split the fees. The buyer therefore does not have to pay additional costs.
Before the deed is drawn up, the notary starts by obtaining, from various authorities, all sorts of information on the seller and the property:
• the identity of the seller
• the intended use of the property
• compliance with town planning requirements.
• …
Concluding the deed
After they have carried out their searches, the notary draws up an authentic deed setting out the sale agreement and the results of their searches. They bring the parties together to ‘conclude’ (read and sign) the deed. The notary then has the deed registered with the registration authorities. They also ensure that a copy of the deed is transcribed for the mortgage registry in the district where the home is situated. This transcription means that the deed can then be cited against third parties. The sold home can therefore no longer be seized by any creditors of the seller.
Costs
Buying a property always results in notary costs. These include:
• transfer tax for the tax authorities
• notary fees
• various costs associated with deeds (tax stamps, cost of administrative searches, etc.).
You can have the costs calculated on the Royal Federation of Belgian Notaries website.
Support service
SPF Justice – Information Unit
115 boulevard de Waterloo
1000 Brussels
+32 2 542 65 11
info@just.fgov.be
Authority responsible
FPS for Justice
Updated on 23 march 2022