When does ownership of the property pass to me?

You become the owner only upon registration in the land register, not already with the purchase contract or payment of the price. Until then, a priority notice in the land register usually secures your position.

Is it worth reviewing the purchase contract before signing?

Yes. The draft often contains terms on payment, warranty and handover that decide a great deal of money later. A review before signing is almost always cheaper than a dispute afterwards.

My neighbour is building over the boundary. What can I do?

With overbuilding, boundary construction or nuisance, much depends on deadlines and the precise legal position. We check your claims and enforce them, or fend off unfounded demands.

Practice Areas

Real-estate and property law in Berlin

Around the property: from drafting and settling the purchase contract to questions of land and neighbour law.

Kathleen MeierAttorney · Partner Enquire about a matter

At a glance

Ownership of a property passes only upon registration in the land register (§ 873 BGB).
Advice on the purchase, sale and settlement of property.
Land, neighbour and land-register law.

What we handle

Contract drafting

Drafting and review of property purchase contracts, secure and balanced.

Settlement

Support from conveyance through payment of the price to registration of ownership.

Land law

Easements, rights of way, encumbrances and land-register questions.

Neighbour law

Boundary building, overbuild, emissions and disputes between neighbours.

How we work

A property purchase involves large values, and details that only become a problem years later. We make sure the contract holds and the settlement runs safely, from the first review to registration in the land register.

If a dispute does arise, over defects, the settlement or neighbour law, we represent your interests firmly, out of court and before the courts.

Common questions

You become the owner only upon registration in the land register, not already with the purchase contract or payment of the price. Until then, a priority notice in the land register usually secures your position.
Yes. The draft often contains terms on payment, warranty and handover that decide a great deal of money later. A review before signing is almost always cheaper than a dispute afterwards.
With overbuilding, boundary construction or nuisance, much depends on deadlines and the precise legal position. We check your claims and enforce them, or fend off unfounded demands.