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THE PROCESS

Property is acquired through a CONTRACT of purchase, similar to the UK, and the contract is lodged with the Land Registry Office to establish ownership. This contract is drawn up by a NOTARY, who is NOT a solicitor, and takes no responsibility for ensuring your interests are being served by signing the contract.

It is usual (though not compulsory) for both purchaser and vendor to appoint their own SOLICITOR to check the accuracy of the contract and whatever other issues are relevant.

Many vendors will be keen to take a deposit for the purchase. In this case it is usual (and certainly highly advisable) to sign a PRE CONTRACT which will usually specify a timescale for the completion of the purchase, and should protect the buyer's interests by ensuring the return of the deposit should the conditions of the pre contract (e.g. that the buyer will be able to build on a plot of land?) not be met. A pre contract will also usually make the deposit non refundable if the buyer withdraws from the purchase for any reason not explicitly specified.

THE SOLICITOR

Appointing a solicitor to act on your behalf is essential to protect your interests in purchasing property. They will

  • check that the vendor has proper title to the property
  • check that the contract gives you proper title to the property
  • check that the pre-contract protects your deposit properly
  • check (where applicable) that the property has properly connected Electricity
  • check (where applicable) that planning permission will be granted

Naturally if you don't speak Greek it will be helpful if your solicitor speaks good English, or for you to have the assistance of somebody familiar with the process to translate for you. See getting help.

THE NOTARY

In Greece a solicitor is not permitted to draw up a contract, as this function is performed solely by a Notary. The solicitors will, of course, liaise with the notary over what the contract contains, and should check its accuracy. It is usual (though not always the case) for the purchaser to pay for the notary's fee (see COSTS). As such the purchaser is free to employ the notary of their choice. See getting help.

THE SURVEYOR

If you are buying a completed or part-completed property, just as in the UK it is highly advisable to use a Surveyor to check (for instance) that the structure is sound, and complies with modern Kefalonian building regulations, which are quite stringent because the island is in an earthquake zone. See getting help.

 
   
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