Document background
The Property Transfer Contract is a fundamental legal instrument used in Swiss real estate transactions to transfer ownership of property from one party to another. This document is essential for any real estate transaction in Switzerland, whether residential, commercial, or industrial. It must be executed as a public deed by a notary public and comply with strict formal requirements under Swiss law, including the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB) and Code of Obligations (OR). The contract typically includes comprehensive details about the property, parties involved, purchase price, payment terms, warranties, and specific cantonal requirements. It's particularly important to note that in Switzerland, property transfers must be registered in the land registry (Grundbuch) to be legally effective, and the contract must meet all prerequisites for such registration. The document is used in various contexts, from simple residential property transfers to complex commercial real estate transactions, and must account for specific regulations such as the Lex Koller for foreign buyers or BGBB for agricultural land.
