A private contract already binds you, but it is not enough to register the home in your name. We explain the differences and the risks.
Buying & Selling · Updated January 2026 · 5 min read
A sale usually has two moments: the private contract (between the parties) and the public deed (before a notary). Both are valid, but they are not the same.
It is a fully binding agreement between buyer and seller: it obliges them to fulfil what was agreed. However, it does not on its own allow you to register the home in your name at the Land Registry.
While there is only a private contract, the home remains in the seller's name at the Registry, with a risk of double sales or new charges. That is why, after the private contract (or the earnest money), it is best to execute the deed as soon as possible. We review the whole process.
Yes, it is fully binding between the parties. But it is not enough to register the home in your name at the Registry, nor usually enough for the bank: for that you need the public deed.
It is not advisable. Without the public deed you cannot register at the Registry and you are exposed to double sales or later charges. It is best to execute the deed as soon as possible.
We review the private contract and guide you through to the public deed so you buy safely.
