Property purchase
Property purchase in Dortmund
Rechtsanwalt und Notar (lawyer and civil-law notary) André Döttelbeck – Am Kai 8 – 44263 Dortmund
Purchase contract & land register
Safe from contract to transfer of ownership
Anyone buying or selling a house, a flat or a plot of land in Germany needs a purchase contract recorded by a notary. This is required by law (section 311b of the German Civil Code, BGB) – to protect both sides.
As a notary, André Döttelbeck is obliged to remain impartial: he drafts a balanced contract, explains it to everyone involved and makes sure the purchase price is only paid once the buyer can safely become the owner.
At a glance
- Purchase contracts for houses, flats and land
- Review of the land register
- Priority notice to protect the buyer
- Coordination with bank, land registry and tax office
- Handling through to the transfer of ownership
- Correspondence in German, English and French
Process
How a property purchase works
01
Details & draft
You tell us about the property, the parties and the price. We check the land register and prepare the draft contract.
02
Time to review
For consumer contracts you will usually receive the draft two weeks before the appointment (section 17 (2a) BeurkG).
03
Notarisation
The notary reads the contract aloud, explains it and answers your questions. All parties then sign.
04
Completion
We protect the buyer with a priority notice, notify you when the purchase price is due and apply for the transfer of ownership.
Documents
What to bring
- Valid identity card or passport of all parties
- German tax identification numbers
- Details of the property (address, ideally a land register extract)
- For flats: declaration of division and details of the property management
- If financed: contact details of the lending bank
Something missing? Call us beforehand – we can request many documents ourselves.
Costs
What does the notary cost?
Notary fees are set by law for all notaries in Germany (Court and Notary Fees Act, GNotKG). They depend on the value and type of the transaction – not on the time spent.
We are happy to give you a cost estimate for your matter in advance.
In addition, a property purchase involves land registry fees and real estate transfer tax – currently 6.5% of the purchase price in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
Why does a property purchase have to be notarised?
German law requires notarial form for real estate transactions (section 311b BGB). Without notarisation the contract is invalid. The notary ensures that both sides understand what they are agreeing to and that the process is equally safe for buyer and seller.
How long does it take until ownership is transferred?
That mainly depends on the land registry, the tax office and the bank. Typically, a few weeks to a few months pass after notarisation. We keep you informed at every step.
When does the buyer have to pay?
Only once the agreed conditions are met – for example, the registration of the priority notice. We will notify you in writing when payment is due.
Can I choose the notary myself?
Yes. In practice the buyer usually chooses the notary, as the buyer generally bears the notary costs. However, this is not mandatory.
Your contact
André Döttelbeck
Rechtsanwalt und Notar (lawyer and civil-law notary), official seat in Dortmund
Specialist lawyer for inheritance law · Specialist lawyer for banking and capital markets law
Call or write to us. We will discuss your matter, tell you which documents are needed and arrange an appointment at our office at Am Kai 8 by Lake Phoenix.
Phone: +49 231 700 188 71
Email: notar@doettelbeck.de
Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–3:30 pm
