Deed of sale of a dwelling in the future state of completion (Vefa)

Verified 20 June 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You are going to buy a house and the seller offers to sign a bill of sale in the future state of completion (Vefa)? The content of the deed of sale of a house in Vefa is framed. You can consult the plans and you have a withdrawal period. We're doing an update on the regulations.

The sale in the future state of completion (Vefa) is a contract by which you buy a property to be built or under construction.

You become an owner of the soil to the signature of the contract sales, then owner of good as it becomes building.

The seller agrees to deliver the accommodation as soon as the construction work is completed.

This property can be a detached house or a apartment.

The seller (promoter) is the developer. He or she must:

  • Choosing architects, contractors and other technicians
  • Establish the conventions with selected professionals
  • Make the reception the work carried out.

As soon as all the conditions for the sale of the dwelling to be built are met, the contract of sale is signed before a notary.

It may be preceded by the signature of a reservation contract (or preliminary contract).

FYI  

The sponsor shall notify to the buyer the draft deed of sale at least 1 month before the date of signature of that deed.

The information in the bill of sale of a Vefa differs according to whether it is a house or an apartment:

Flat

The contract of a Vefa must be concluded in the form of a authentic instrument.

It shall specify the following:

  • Detailed description of the accommodation (surface, equipment and annexes)
  • Prices, means of payment and any revision rules
  • Delivery time
  • Entitlement of financial guarantee for reimbursement (GFR) or financial guarantee for completion of works (GFA)
  • Conditions for exercising the right of reflection
  • Possible penalty for late payments which may not exceed 1% per month
  • Possible rescission clauses and suspensors.
House

The contract of a Vefa must necessarily be concluded in the form authentic instrument.

It shall specify the following:

  • Detailed description of the accommodation, its equipment and its annexes
  • Prices, means of payment and any revision rules
  • Delivery time
  • Entitlement of financial guarantee for reimbursement (GFR) or financial guarantee for completion of works (GFA)
  • Description of the work that the buyer has decided to do when the sale is preceded by a preliminary contract (for example: work on the finishing of the interior walls, the lining or installation of heating or sanitary equipment, and the furniture that can accommodate them)
  • Conditions for exercising the right of reflection
  • Possible penalty for late payments which may not exceed 1% per month
  • Possible rescission clauses and suspensors.

The following documents must also be annexed to the contract of sale:

  • Co-ownership Regulation if the dwelling is located in a condominium
  • Side plan and notice indicating the specific equipment of the dwelling
  • Information on the consistency and technical characteristics of the building.

FYI  

It must be specified whether the price is revisable. The revision is then calculated as a function of the variation in the index BT01. This index assesses cost developments in the construction sector.

You have a reflection period of 10 calendar days to renege on your commitment to purchase the property. This time limit shall apply only when there was no reservation contract.

This period shall begin on the day following the firstre presentation of the letter RAR: titleContent notifier the act to the seller or his hand-delivery.

If the last day of the cooling-off period is a Saturday, a Sunday, a public holiday or unemployed person, the time limit shall be extended to 1er working day next.

You must notify the seller, by letter RAR, of your renunciation of the purchase, before the end of the period of 10 calendar days.

You must stagger the payment according to the progress of the work and according to the schedule provided by the sales contract.

The maximum amounts are as follows:

  • 35% of the total price when the foundations are completed
  • 70% of the total price when the dwelling is put out of water
  • 95% from the total price to completion of the building.

In the absence of any reservation as to the conformity of the dwelling with the act of sale, the 5% the remainder shall be paid to the housing delivery.

If not, they can be paid as security to the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations using an online service:

Record the balance of the sale price of a Vefa home

You can finance the purchase of your home with a personal contribution and/or, under conditions, use different loans for immovable property.

To get the best proposal, you can get a loan offer from multiple banks or hire a real estate broker.

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