Buying a home - Part 3: from signature to registration

Under section 73 of the Real Estate Taxation Law, the seller and buyer each file the declaration applicable to them within 30 days of the transaction date. The contractual actions should also begin and protection suitable for the rights route should be registered - a caution note where available or an appropriate alternative.

Where conditions precedent, mortgage finance or third-party papers apply, maintain an owner-and-deadline list and an organised record of every document and payment.

Confirm the tax clearances required for registration, municipal clearance where required, discharge papers, powers of attorney, balances, possession protocol and occupancy status. Physical possession and completion of legal registration are separate milestones.

A property discrepancy, delay or missing paper requires review and accurate use of the agreement and law while preserving rights. There is no automatic rule requiring every payment or obligation to stop; the response depends on the breach, payment schedule, protections and available remedies.

Payments, discharge papers, physical possession, mortgage and registration should advance in the sequence set by the agreement and suited to the bank, registry and protections. Where immediate registration is unavailable, protections must remain until completion.

After registration, complete insurance and relevant account updates. The closing file should allow someone years later to understand what was signed, paid, cleared and registered.