What documents do you need in order to sell your Bulgarian property

You have purchased a property in Bulgaria and now you have decided to resell it.

All went good and you have found a buyer.

Now you are facing the hassle to gather all necessary papers.What exactly you need? Everybody is telling you different things?

Our legal department has prepared this article in order to lead you through this procedure which may look like a labyrinth , but in fact is quite easy and straight forward when you know what exactly you need and which step follows next.

I . First and main document proving your ownership is the Notary Deed. You should have received it when you first bought the property. If you by any chance have lost it it doesn't mean you have lost your ownership. Contact your agent for assistance to have a notarized copy issued from the notary who has initially signed the deal.

II. Sketch for the property - the sketch is issued by the local technical department in the Municipality where your property is located. Depending on the Municipality, cost and time to issue the sketch could vary, but generally the process can take up to one month and price is around 30 levs . You can also apply for express order which will cost you at least double. The sketch could be ready in 24 hours. In order to put a request for a sketch you will need a copy of the notary deed. Once a sketch is issued it is valid for 6 months. After that the whole procedure should be done again!

III. Valid Tax Evaluation Document - This paper is issued by the Local Tax services Office in the Municipality where your property is located. The request for issuing this paper could be submitted only by the owner of the property or his legal attorney. Again the cost and the period for issuing depend on the Municipality but it start from 15 levs and could be maximum 50 levs for an express service, Please bear in mind that in order to have your Tax Evaluation paper Issued you have to pay all the taxes for the property that you owe . In the worst case if you have not declared your property in the tax services upon purchase you will be penalized according to the period that you were late with and also depending if you own the property as a physical person or as a company. Penalties for company owners are higher. Please mind that the address of the property in this document and in the deeds have to be absolutely identical because it may cause a problem while registering the deal.

IV. In case you own the property as a physical person you will need a document stating your Marital Status. This document you should supply from your own country and get it translated and legalized in Bulgaria. If the property has been bought during your marriage you will need a letter of attorney by your spouse for the deal. So for this it is important what was your marital status by the time when you have purchased the property.

V. Certificate of weights - this document states that there are not established real rights in favor of third persons for the property you are selling . This document is issued by the Registry Service in your Municipality. When submitting a request you have to provide the notary deed for the property. If the property has land you have to supply a sketch as well. This document is valid only 24 hours. Some notaries do not request this paper as they are checking it automatically at the day of the deal.

VI. Do not forget you passport ! VII. If you own the property as a company you will need a written decision of the share holders in the company that you have decided to sell this property which is an asset of the company. It should be signed by all shareholders and stamped. By law when providing this paper there is no need all the shareholders to be present at the deal as far as the manager is present but many Notaries will require it !

VIII. Declaration for citizenship and marital status as per article 25 point 7 from the Law for the Notary Services. This document should be filled in front of the Notary in the day of the deal.

IX. Declaration stating that you don't owe any taxes to the Republic of Bulgaria. This document should be filled in in two copies at the Notary in the day of the deal. X. In case you as an owner will not be present at the deal , make sure that you have an accurate letter of attorney signed and notarized ( apostilled) by you with which you empower a lawyer or someone you trust to sign on your behalf and on your account!

X. If you own the property as a company , please make sure that your company is re-registered!

Please note that in some cases you may need additional papers due to some complicated form of ownership. In each case we advise you to use a local lawyer for your own security! This however is not compulsory!

Last but most important - take your money from the sale and spend wisely:)