Buying, step by step
The French notaire, explained to buyers from abroad.
No property changes hands in France without a notaire. Here is what they do for you, and what they do not.
Contents
In many countries, each side hires a lawyer. In France, the sale of a property is signed before a notaire, a lawyer appointed by the State as a public officer. The notaire is responsible for the legal security of the deed, for both parties.
What the notaire does
- Checks the seller's title and the history of the property.
- Asks for the planning information, the mortgages registered and the pre-emption rights.
- Drafts the final deed (acte authentique) and has it signed.
- Receives your money on an account held at the Caisse des Dépôts, pays the seller, the taxes and the agency.
- Registers the sale and records you as the new owner.
What the notaire does not do
The notaire does not visit the property for you, does not check the condition of the roof or the boiler, and does not negotiate the price. That is the role of the surveys, of your own checks, and of your agent.
The notaire's costs
The notaire's costs are mostly taxes collected for the State and the local authorities. The notaire's own fee is set by law. For an existing home, the total is roughly 7 to 8% of the price, much less for a new build. Details in French property buying costs.
Your own notaire, at no extra cost
You can choose your own notaire, even if the seller already has one. The two notaires then work together and share the fee: it costs you nothing more. Some notaires speak English; the notaires.fr directory helps you find an office.
How I work with notaires
I send the notaire the complete file as soon as the offer is accepted, I follow every document, and I keep you informed in writing. When the notaire needs something from you, I explain it in your language. I work in English and French every day. I also speak Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi fluently, Persian (Farsi) very well, and good Greek and Arabic.
Frequently asked questions
Is a notaire compulsory to buy a property in France?
Yes. The sale of a property is signed by notarised deed and registered by the notaire.
Who chooses the notaire?
Each side can have its own notaire. If you have none, the seller's notaire handles the sale for both.
Does having two notaires cost more?
No. The two notaires share the same regulated fee.
Does the notaire check the condition of the house?
No. The condition is covered by the surveys and by your own visit and checks.