Guide · Inheriting & Selling

Notary appointment when selling a house: preparation until handover

Updated on 08.10.2026 · 5 min read

Prepare a house sale with the notary: distinguish the draft contract, owners, financing, payment and handover. Includes a checklist and handover report template.

Illustration (AI generated): Joint review of documents in the meeting room; symbolic illustration
Contents · 5 Sections
  1. 01Why a notary appointment is necessary
  2. 02What should be clear before the draft
  3. 03Read the draft carefully
  4. 04Signature, payment and ownership are different steps
  5. 05Document the handover

By DDORF WOHNEN · Software development and editorial work. General information, not advice on your individual circumstances.

01Why a notary appointment is necessary

Section 311b of the German Civil Code (BGB) requires notarisation for a contract obliging a party to acquire or transfer ownership of land. A signed property listing brochure (Exposé) or a private price agreement is not simply the complete property purchase contract. The notary reviews and drafts the specific transaction; DDORF does not draw up a purchase contract and does not accept bookings or payments.

02What should be clear before the draft

List the parties and who is authorised to represent them, the property and land-register details, agreed price components, existing encumbrances and financing questions. Provide the relevant documents in full and flag uncertainties. A condominium or rented property needs additional documents and agreements. The house-sale checklist helps you get organised; it does not certify that the documentation for your transaction is complete.

03Read the draft carefully

Check whether the property, price, payment process, handover and known special features reflect the actual agreement. Ask questions before signing rather than relying solely on verbal promises. The parties’ circumstances may trigger additional safeguards or procedural requirements. Agree an appropriate review process with the notary instead of applying a universal deadline from an online list.

04Signature, payment and ownership are different steps

Notarisation alone does not mean that the purchase price is already payable or that ownership has already been registered in the buyer's name. The payment request, safeguards, transfer of possession and land register entry must be considered separately in the actual procedure. Pay and hand over possession in accordance with the agreed contractual process. A fixed sequence in a general example does not replace the actual conditions of your purchase contract.

05Document the handover

Use the handover record to document the date, condition, meter readings, keys, documents and outstanding items. Review it together and record agreed tasks clearly. It documents the actual handover but does not replace a notarised agreement or change the land register. Keep the final version with your purchase documents.

No legal or tax advice

General information and preparation assistance, not individual legal, tax or financing advice. No mediation or forwarding of inquiries through this site.

Next steps and background

Data sources

Official source · Our own calculation · Our own analysis · DDORF estimate → Methodology

As of · Legal information: 10/2026 · Source: DDORF WOHNEN editorial team