Booking contract for a property for sale in the future state of completion (Vefa)

Verified 26 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

In the context of the sale of an apartment or a house in Vefa: titleContent, you are buying a home to be built or under construction. Before signing the final deed of sale, are you obliged to sign a contract for the reservation of the accommodation with the developer? We're taking stock of the regulations.

Before the signature of definitive sales contract of a dwelling in Vefa: titleContent, the proposed buyer (the reservist) may sign a reservation contract with the seller (the reserving, the promoter).

The reservation contract, also called preliminary contract, is not mandatory. It is however recommended, because it determines the terms of sale and the delivery of the accommodation.

The seller undertakes to reserve a new home for the buyer if the construction program is carried out. In return, the buyer pays a security deposit which represents a certain percentage of the total price. It is calculated according to the expected delivery time.

The booking contract includes information about the seller and buyer, accommodation and sale.

Information about the seller and the buyer

The booking contract must indicate the contact details of seller and buyer (surname, first name, address for example).

The seller must provide the buyer with a financial guarantee of reimbursement (GFR) or a financial guarantee of completion of works (GFA). The GFR or GFA may be implemented by the buyer in the event of the seller's financial failure. Failure occurs when the seller does not have the money to complete the building.

Information about housing

The booking contract must include the following information:

  • Address of the accommodation
  • Living area of the dwelling, number of main rooms and enumeration of service rooms, outbuildings and clearances
  • Description of the materials used
  • Description of the communal facilities available
  • Location of the unit in the building or subdivision.

One air noise pollution status shall be annexed to the contract for the reservation of goods located in one of the noise zones defined by a noise exposure plan.

It is recommended to give the buyer a Risk and Pollution Status (ERP).

Information about the sale

The booking contract must include the following information:

  • Estimated selling price of the dwelling and conditions of revision
  • Date on which the final contract of sale can be concluded (the seller must notify the buyer of the draft deed of sale at least one month before the date of signature of this deed)
  • Method of payment of the property (with or without loan)
  • Amount of loan(s), terms and name of lender
  • Suspension condition to obtain a loan (if the price is to be paid with the help of a loan)
  • Amount of security deposit
  • Conditions for the recovery of the security deposit (amount that represents a certain percentage of the total price) in case of renunciation of the purchase
  • Delivery time
  • Possible penalties for late delivery of the accommodation
  • Information on the conditions of exercise of the buyer's right of withdrawal (right to reverse decision). Failure to provide such information shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding €15,000 for the seller).

The contract also indicates the work that the buyer may decide to do himself, after delivery of the goods. It covers the costs and the liability.

The list of these works is as follows:

  • Installation of sanitary equipment of the kitchen and furniture that can accommodate them
  • Installation of sanitary equipment in the bathroom or shower room and furniture that can accommodate them
  • Installation of toilet sanitary equipment
  • Installation of wall tiles
  • Floor covering excluding insulation
  • Equipment with electric radiators, where the characteristics of the electrical installation so permit and in compliance with the required power
  • Decoration of the walls.

The reservation contract is a act under private signature between the seller and the buyer.

It can also be signed with a notary. It will check the property rights of the seller and gather the necessary documents for the drafting of the future sales contract.

Who shall I contact

The booking contract must be sent by letter RAR: titleContent or hand-delivered to the buyer before any deposit of funds.

The buyer may renege on his commitment to purchase the property within a period of 10 calendar days.

This period starts the day after the 1stre presentation of the letter RAR: titleContent notifier the contract to the buyer or its delivery by hand.

If the last day of the withdrawal period is a Saturday, a Sunday, a public holiday or unemployed, the deadline shall be extended until 1er business day next.

The withdrawal must be sent to the seller by letter RAR: titleContent, within that 10-day period.

To book the accommodation, the seller can ask the buyer to pay a security deposit. It's a percentage of the total price. It is poured on a special bank account opened in the name of the buyer or at a notary.

The amount of the security deposit is limited to:

  • 5% the selling price if the deed of sale is signed within a period of less than 1 year,
  • 2% if the deed is signed within 1 to 2 years.

No security deposit can be claimed if the deed of sale is signed beyond 2 years.

The buyer can request the cancelation of the booking contract and obtain restitution of his security deposit without withholding in the following cases:

  • Loan refused by the bank (suspensive condition of unrealized loan)
  • Contract not concluded by the seller within the period specified in the preliminary contract
  • Higher selling price of more than 5% the revised estimated price (even if it is due to an increase in the consistency of the building or an improvement in its quality)
  • 1 or more items of equipment specified in the preliminary contract not completed
  • Immovable or part of an immovable having in its consistency or in the quality of the works provided a reduction in value of more than 10%.

The buyer notified his request for reimbursement by letter RAR: titleContent the seller and the depositary of the security deposit.

To make this contract cancelation request, a sample letter is available:

Terminate the contract of reservation of an apartment sold on plan

The security deposit must be returned within 3 months from the date of the refund request.