{"id":12964,"date":"2025-10-06T09:50:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T09:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.consultants-immobilier.com\/?page_id=12964"},"modified":"2025-10-06T09:50:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T09:50:27","slug":"what-is-the-cost-of-a-preliminary-sales-agreement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/sales-agreement\/what-is-the-cost-of-a-preliminary-sales-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the cost of a preliminary sales agreement?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1670852810251{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”back_div”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_raw_html css=””]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJteV9iYWNrX2J1dHRvbiUyMiUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY29uc3VsdGFudHMtaW1tb2JpbGllci5jb20lMkZlbiUyRnByb3BlcnR5LWd1aWRlcyUyRiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyMEJhY2slMjB0byUyMHByb3BlcnR5JTIwZ3VpZGVzJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1759743898434{background-image: url(https:\/\/www.consultants-immobilier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/prix_compromis.jpg?id=12965) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”override_left”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”override_pos”][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1662026446228{background-color: #e4e4e4 !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”How much does a preliminary sales agreement cost?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:37|text_align:center|color:%23040e31″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1759744084371{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” el_class=”relative_pos”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=”firstblock” css=”.vc_custom_1668613473269{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=””]The <\/span>preliminary sales agreement<\/span><\/a> can be signed <\/span>under private seal<\/b> (between private individuals), <\/span>through a real estate agent<\/b> or <\/span>before a notary<\/b>. Depending on the chosen method, fees range from \u20ac0 to several hundred euros. Beyond the price difference, there are also variations in legal security and evidentiary value. Here are some very practical insights drawn from our on-the-ground experience (17 agencies) regarding the financial and legal implications of each option.<\/span><\/p>\n

How much does a preliminary sales agreement cost with a notary?<\/h2>\n

A notary-signed sales agreement generally costs <\/span>between \u20ac150 and \u20ac300<\/b> on average. These fees correspond to the <\/span>notary\u2019s emoluments<\/b> for drafting the deed and performing the necessary legal checks. If two notaries are involved (one for each party), the total amount remains roughly the same: they share both the work and the fees.<\/span><\/p>\n

The notary may charge <\/span>additional fees<\/b> if you wish, for instance, to register the agreement with the tax authorities. This formality is not mandatory for a preliminary agreement but costs \u20ac125 in registration duties. Registration grants the document an official date, which can prove useful in case of a later dispute over its existence or content.<\/span><\/p>\n

The answer to the question “<\/span>who pays the notary\u2019s fees for the preliminary sales agreement<\/span><\/a>” is simple: in almost all cases, the buyer covers these costs. This practice applies even if the buyer withdraws within the 10-day legal cooling-off period\u2014they must still pay the drafting fees already incurred.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is a private sales agreement really free?<\/h2>\n

Not exactly. A privately drafted agreement between individuals involves no direct cost: the seller or buyer prepares the document, and both parties sign it without professional assistance. However, this apparent \u201cfree\u201d option hides <\/span>potential indirect costs:<\/b> time spent drafting, risk of errors or omissions, and weak legal standing in case of dispute.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>tax registration<\/b> is still possible for a private agreement. If either party requests it, they must pay the \u20ac125 registration fee. Unlike the <\/span>promise to sell<\/span><\/a> (which must legally be registered within 10 days), the preliminary sales agreement is not subject to this requirement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be careful: from experience, amateur drafting exposes you to certain legal risks that we encounter daily:<\/span><\/p>\n