Land register extract in Switzerland — content, purpose, costs
What is a land register extract? - The definition
A Land register extract gives a detailed overview of the ownership and legal relationships of a property or plot of land and is kept as official documentation in the state land registry office. that land register serves as a public register of rights in rem in Switzerland and enables the registration, amendment or deletion of rights and obligations relating to real property. For real estate sales or financing inquiries, the land register extract is indispensable, as it provides information about ownership, easements, liens and any encumbrances.
What is in the land register extract?
A land register extract contains comprehensive information about the respective plot of land, including:
- Ownership: Information about current and previous owners and their acquisition dates.
- Property data: Detailed information on the location and size of the property.
- Easements and base charges: Rights, such as rights of way, right of residence or right of use.
- Liens and land charges: Information about mortgages and other financial charges.
important: Land owned by the federal government, cantons or municipalities is not always registered. Registration is only made if the cantons so require or if there are rights in rem to the property.
Who keeps the land register?
In Switzerland, the land register is organized at cantonal level and is subject to federal supervision. Only a few cantons, such as Uri, Zug or Geneva, have central land registry offices; other cantons manage land register entries in municipalities or through so-called land register districts. The structure of the land register is Relative to the plot and contains various parts:
- ledger
- Property lists and supplementary plans
- Documents and property descriptions
- journal
Most land registers are now managed with IT support, and registrations, changes or deletions may incur fees. Many cantons also provide for a right-hand transaction tax.
When and where can I get an extract from the land register?
If you want to buy or sell a property, you should buy one early on current land register extract Request it from the competent cantonal land registry office. This excerpt informs potential buyers of potential value-reducing easements or charges, such as mortgages. A current land register extract is absolutely necessary for financing by banks. A complete land register extract can be requested by post or online from the relevant land registry offices, although the appointment must be made by the owner or an authorized person.
important: Anyone can receive an abbreviated version of the land register extract, which contains, among other things, the following information:
- Description and name of the plot
- Owner and date of purchase
- form of ownership
Only authorized persons or institutions that can demonstrate a legitimate interest (such as banks or easements) have access to all information, for example on existing liens.
tip: Some cantons publish employment reports in their official journals. Transactions resulting from inheritances, marriage contracts or property agreements are excluded from this publication.
How much does a land register extract cost?
The costs of viewing the land register and preparing a land register extract may vary depending on the type and region:
- Local land register inspection or telephone information: usually free
- Uncertified land register extract: around 20 to 30 CHF
- Certified land register extract: an additional approx. 20 CHF
If the extract is requested from a notary, there may be additional costs, in particular if a sales contract is drawn up at the same time.
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