Buying Property in the Netherlands: The Conveyancing Roadmap

Buying property is, for most people, the largest transaction of their lives. Conveyancing is the legal process that transfers ownership safely — from the moment you agree to buy to the day the title is registered in your name.

1. Offer and booking

The buyer typically pays an earnest deposit and signs a letter of offer or booking form. Read it carefully — it may already commit you to terms, including forfeiture of the deposit if you withdraw.

2. The deed of sale (koopovereenkomst)

The koopovereenkomst is the heart of the transaction. It sets the price, the deposit (usually 10%), completion timelines, and the parties' obligations — and for consumers includes the statutory three-day cooling-off period. For new-build homes, a koop-/aannemingsovereenkomst applies, often with a Woningborg or SWK guarantee.

3. Financing and the mortgage

If you are borrowing, the mortgage (hypotheek) is arranged with the bank and executed by the civil-law notary. Coordinating the purchase and mortgage timelines is essential to avoid late-payment interest and a missed completion.

4. Transfer tax and completion

• Transfer tax (overdrachtsbelasting), where it applies to the buyer.
• The notary's settlement statement (nota van afrekening) and escrow of funds.
• Payment of the balance and delivery of vacant possession at completion.

5. Notarial transfer and registration

Ownership passes when the notary executes the deed of transfer (leveringsakte) and registers it with the Land Registry (Kadaster). Until that happens, your interest is contractual — which is why competent conveyancing matters at every step.

In conveyancing, the risks hide in the timelines. Miss a completion date and the cost is real and immediate.