Notary Fees at the Sale: Does the Seller Pay Anything?

Selling a property always involves a series of legal, technical and financial procedures. And for those who are about to buy, a question often comes up: Does the seller pay anything to the notary? The answer is a bit more nuanced than one might think.

In this article, I explain to you in concrete terms Who pays what In the room, What the seller must assume as real costs, and The role of the notary throughout the process. We'll also see How are the costs divided between new and old, to When Do Payments Take Place, and how that changes for you as a buyer. At the end, you will have a clear vision of what everyone is doing... to buy with confidence.

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📝 Seller, buyer: who pays what at the notary?

During a sale, we often hear about “notary fees.” But who is really paying for them? Spoiler: it's not the seller.

The famous “notary fees” mainly concern the buyer. These are the acquisition costs. They cover taxes paid to the State, notary fees, and various administrative costs associated with registering the sale. According to notaires.fr, these costs represent on average 7 to 8% of the sales price in the old one.

But be careful: the seller is not completely exempt from fees. It must take care of certain elements related to the preparation of the sale.

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The “notary fees” are paid by the buyer

It is important to distinguish between Sales costs And Purchase costs. As the buyer, you are the one who pays the registration fees for the sale. The notary is chosen by the buyer, but he remains neutral and represents both parties.

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But the seller pays some ancillary costs.

These are the costs that we often forget. As a real estate hunter, I often see sellers who are surprised to have to pull out their bank cards. However, these costs are known and controlled.

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📑 The costs actually borne by the seller

Before signing, the seller must take several steps at his own expense. These costs are often modest but unavoidable.

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Drafting the Compromise at the Notary

When the sales agreement is signed at a notary, what I strongly recommend is The Seller Who Pays The Writing Fees. These fees vary from one study to another, but we are generally around 300 to 400€ TTC. This includes verifying title documents, legal analysis of the property, suspensive clauses, and securing the agreement between the two parties.

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Mandatory pre-sale diagnostics

It is also up to the seller to provide all the Technical diagnostics prior to signing. He must order a DDT (technical diagnosis file) from a certified professional. This file includes DPE, electricity, gas, gas, gas, asbestos, lead, termites, ERP...

The cost depends on the Dwelling Size And of Number of diagnoses required. For a 60 m² apartment, count Around 400€. For a large old house, this amount can increase to €800 or more. This is a cost to be expected as soon as the sale is put on sale.

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ℹ️ Other possible costs (not systematic)

Depending on the case, other fees may be added, but they don't concern all sellers.

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Mortgage Cancellation If Credit Is In Progress

If the home is still under mortgage (this is often the case with old mortgages), the notary will have to carry out a Mortgage Discharge. It is an administrative procedure. It Costs on Average 250 to 500€ according to the initial guaranteed amount.

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Agency commission if authorized seller

If the seller has signed a mandate with an agency, The Commission May Be Charged To Him. It depends on the type of mandate. At Mecaza, we work differently: the real estate hunter is paid by the buyer, via the fees integrated into the purchase. No agency fees for the seller.

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Proratized charges or taxes

The notary carries out the regularizations by act. This Concerns Condominium fees or property tax. They are calculated in proportion to the current year. The seller pays his part until the signature is signed, the buyer then takes over.

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🧮 Numerical simulation for a property worth €300,000

A seller must therefore plan around €700 to €1,200 minimum fees, to which special costs may be added if the situation so requires.

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🤝 The role of the notary on the seller side

The notary does not only work for the buyer. It also has a Essential function to secure the seller's rights, verify documents, and circulate funds transparently and legally. It is one of the most solid guarantors of a serene sale.

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Secure the transaction, check the titles

Before Signing the Bill of Sale, The Seller's Notary Check several crucial points. He makes sure that the seller is the Legal owner Well, that the accommodation is free of all Mortgage registration, of Keying, or of Court litigation. He also consulted urban planning rules and possible easements.

He is the one who writes theAuthentic Act of Sale, the final document that transfers ownership of the property in an official manner. This legal framework is the best protection against unpleasant surprises. He Protect both parties, but especially you as the buyer, because he is the one who guarantees that everything is in order before you pay a cent.

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Receiving Funds and Paying to the Seller

On the day of the signing of the authentic instrument, The Buyer Pays The Full Sale Price To The Notary, via a secure transfer. This transfer also includes Acquisition costs :

• In the old one, Notary fees amount to around 7 to 8% of the price of the property (depending on the region), so 21,000 to 24,000€ for housing at 300,000€.
• In the nine, they are lower: 2 to 3% on average, gold 6,000 to 9,000€ For the same price.

💡 These fees are paid At the Time of Signing at the Notary, just before the keys are handed over. They Must Be Unlocked at the Latest The Day Before the Signing of the Final Act.

The notary Cash the funds into an equestrian account, then he makes all the distributions:

• He Pay the seller's outstanding credit directly, if there is one left.
• He Pay the trustee, if condominium fees are pending.
• He Adjust property tax between the buyer and the seller, in proportion to the calendar.

Once all of this is settled, the Net Seller Balance Is transferred directly to the seller's bank account. It Is Being Done Within 24 to 72 hours After the signature, according to the notary offices.

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Conclusion: sell, yes... but with costs to be expected

No, the seller does not pay “notary fees” in the classical sense. But he still has to fix Unavoidable Fees : compromise, diagnostics, and sometimes other ancillary costs. As a buyer, understanding this helps you negotiate better, better anticipate, and ask the right questions.

Chez MeCaza, we also support buyers for Demystifying the Entire Buying Process, in collaboration with notaries, agencies and sellers. A good purchase is an informed purchase.

👉 If you want to go deeper into this topic, you can also read our article:
Do You Need an Exclusive Warrant for an Apartment Hunter?

And to know the complete details of the costs on the seller side, you can consult the Public Service website:
📚 service-public.fr — Real estate sale