Checklists before you sign

Buying: before signing the preliminary contract

Recent ownership certificate (ANCFCC) in the seller’s name: it shows who owns the property and any mortgage or seizure.
Is it titled? If not (melkia, adoul deed), get advice: the sale is riskier and often cannot be financed by a bank.
All owners agree and sign (heirs, joint ownership), or have given a notarised power of attorney.
Housing permit (permis d’habiter) or the building’s certificate of conformity.
Building manager’s certificate: service charges paid, no major works voted that you would pay for.
Seller’s tax clearance (municipal services tax and housing tax paid).
The property is vacant (no tenant), or you know exactly when it will be.
Visit with someone you trust: damp, cracks, water, electricity, meters, neighbours, by day and night.
Declared price = real price, paid by transfer or certified cheque to the notary’s account. Never cash “under the table”.
Loan: the bank’s agreement in principle before paying the deposit, and a loan condition in the preliminary contract.

Deed signed before a notary (or authorised lawyer), who registers the sale with the land registry.
Costs planned: registration duties, land registry, notary, agency fee if any (see “Total cost” on the listing).
Keys and badges handed over, water and electricity meters read the same day.
Water and electricity contracts moved to your name.
Copy of the new ownership certificate in your name a few weeks later.

The landlord really is the owner (or has a written mandate): ask for their ID and proof of ownership.
Written lease, signed and legalised (Law 67-12 on residential leases): rent, charges, length, deposit, inventory.
Deposit: in principle no more than two months’ rent (Law 67-12), against a signed receipt.
What the rent includes: water, electricity, building fees, internet? Written in the lease.
Own meters in your name, or the way bills are split written down.
Never pay before visiting and meeting the landlord: fake listings ask for a deposit remotely.

Written inventory, room by room, signed by both, with dated photos (keep them until the end of the lease).
Water and electricity meter readings noted in the inventory.
List of furniture and appliances (if furnished) with their condition.
Number of keys received.
Every month: a signed rent receipt (you can prepare it with our tool).