Selling a Property in Switzerland: The essential documents checklist for the canton of Vaud

Preparing for a real estate sale involves much more than the physical presentation of the property. The legal and administrative dimension plays a crucial role in the process, requiring careful attention to official documents and legal obligations. If you’re wondering what documents you need to provide to sell a house or apartment in Switzerland, this article will guide you through the steps you need to take to prepare for the sale of your property in the canton of Vaud. It’s important to note that every property is different and will require a specific approach.

Selling a property in Switzerland - Required Documents

Before putting your property up for sale, it’s imperative that you gather recent official documents attesting to its specific features. These include:

Land Register Extract :
The Land Register extract is your property's identity card, providing detailed information on the plot, easements, encumbrances and real rights encumbering the property, offering a complete overview of its legal status. A land register extract less than three months old is required for all property transactions. The notary issues an extract on the day of signing.
Cantonal Energy Building Certificate (Certificat Energétique Cantonal des Bâtiments - CECB) :
The Cantonal Energy Certificate for Buildings (CECB) is a mandatory document for all property transactions in the canton of Vaud. Valid for 10 years, this certificate attests to a building's energy performance. If your property does not have a CECB, it can be issued by a certified expert. If your property is a condominium (PPE), you can request it to the condominium administrator.

This document provides essential information on the property's energy consumption:
a. Building shell efficiency: measures the quality of thermal insulation.
b. Overall energy efficiency: this energy audit assesses energy requirements for heating and other technical installations.
c. Direct CO2 emissions: indicates the amount of CO2 emitted by the building.
Fire insurance contract : It is essential to obtain an up-to-date fire insurance policy that complies with the ECA (Etablissement cantonal d'assurance) index in force in the canton of Vaud, thus guaranteeing adequate protection for the property. It gives an indication of the value of the building, provided that the valuation is recent and that no work has been carried out since the last valuation.
OIBT :
The Ordinance on Low-Voltage Installations (OIBT) is designed to ensure safety through periodic inspections of existing electrical installations.
Electrical installations must be inspected by a body independent of the one that designed or installed the equipment. This guarantees that all electrical installations comply with current safety standards, offering peace of mind to potential buyers and ensuring the transparency and security of the real estate transaction. It's a good idea to have an up-to-date certificate if the property you're selling is habitable without renovation (it represents a guarantee for the buyer). The certificate is valid for 20 years without change of ownership. In the event of a change of ownership, its validity is reduced to 5 years.

Summary

The legal preparation of a property sale in Switzerland requires meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of administrative obligations. By working with an experienced real estate partner, you can efficiently navigate this process and put in place the appropriate steps for a successful sale. At Poli Real Estate, you benefit from real estate advice and a dedicated team, ensuring experienced support in the process of selling your property.

Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our team. Poli Real Estate specialises in property sales and valuations in the Lausanne, Pully and Lutry area. Our brokers will be delighted to answer all your questions.