Example
What does it look like in practice?
The deal was announced on June 15, but the seller must vacate the home and hand over the keys by June 30. The buyer may already be the owner, but not yet actually own the property.
In the case of new construction, the early granting of access for completion is not in itself a notarial transfer.
What is it commonly confused with?
The handover protocol is not a document of ownership, and the notarial deed does not necessarily certify the factual situation and free access the day after the transaction. Address registration, bill payment or long-term residence should also not be used as sole proof of ownership.
Possession and ordinary possession have additional legal differences that require specific analysis.
Why does it matter?
The buyer needs to know when they get the right, when they can actually move in and what happens if the property is not released. Ambiguity can lead to temporary housing costs, a dispute with tenants, or difficulties with repairs and insurance.
The separate planning of the transaction and the handover makes the obligations measurable.
What to ask
What should you check next?
In the contract, write down the exact date, condition and procedure for handover, the persons who must vacate the property, the keys, the meter readings and the consequences of delay. Check registered rights of use and contracts or facts that may bind the new owner.
At handover, draw up a detailed record; it supplements, but does not replace, the checks on the property.