Thursday: Walter's Webinar! Buy your house up to 4x faster Register

Deed of ownership

A deed of ownership is an important document when buying a house. It establishes the rightful owner of the property and the exact contents of the sold property.

For many people looking to buy a house, the deed of ownership is one of the most important documents in the purchase process.

When buying a property, the transfer of ownership is finalized at the notary. This is because, at the notary, the deed of delivery is signed. This deed of sale is registered at the land register by the notary, whereby the buyer acquires the right of ownership. This document is registered in the public records as a 'copy of the deed of sale.' The notary sends a copy of the sale deed to the buyers a few days after the execution of the deed of delivery. This copy is the deed of ownership.

What is the deed of ownership?

The deed of ownership is a document that defines the rights and obligations of the owner of a particular property. It contains information about the owner's identity, the location and description of the property, and any restrictions or obstructions applicable to the use of the property.

What does a deed of property contain?

Below are some frequently occurring details that may appear in a deed of property:

  • The name and personal information of the owner
  • The location and description of the property, including its dimensions, any annexes, and ground area
  • Any restrictions or impediments to the use of the property, such as restrictions on sales, rentals, or alterations to the property
  • Any obligations associated with the property, such as payment of municipal taxes or maintenance of the communal areas of a building
  • Any other rights or restrictions applicable to the property, such as the right to park or the restriction of keeping certain types of animals.

It is important to note that an ownership deed is not proof of the physical presence or condition of the property. The document only describes the rights and obligations of the owner and is intended to resolve any conflicts that may arise over property ownership.

What is the purpose of a deed of ownership?

A deed of ownership is a document that confirms and proves ownership of a particular property. The document is intended to protect the rights of ownership of a specific property and the parties involved from future disputes. If you sell a property, you are also required to present the deed of ownership to the parties involved as proof that you own the property and are thus entitled to sell it. The deed also lists the names of any co-owners. Co-owners must also formally consent to the sale of the property.

The role of the Land Register (Kadaster)

The land registry manages all registered deeds relating to real estate in its public registers. This also means the land registry has an overview of all deeds drawn up for a specific property. Should there be any ambiguities about the creation of certain conditions, such as chain clauses about a right of way, the Land Registry can, on instruction, conduct historical research into these origins.

Walter advisor

Buying a home?

Book your free orientation call with a Walter advisor. We will take you through the process of buying your next home.

Book a call — it's free

Continue reading

If you are buying a home, the home may be part of an Owners' Association (VvE). Unions are required to save for maintenance in the reserve fund. Continue reading →

As a buyer, you have a legal duty to inspect the house properly and find out as much as possible about what is happening in the neighborhood. This is known as the obligation to investigate. Continue reading →

The first contractual milestone when you buy a home is signing the preliminary purchase agreement. If it is not signed, there is no legal agreement. Informal verbal contracts between sellers and buyers, therefore, do not hold legally. Continue reading →