Transfer title
The transfer title is the document issued in the case, after the price is paid in full, that formalises the transfer of ownership and allows the buyer to register it.
What it is, why it matters when bidding, and a worked example.
A judicial sale has no notarial deed of purchase: the transfer title issued by the enforcement agent (or the insolvency administrator) serves that function. It is the document presented at the land registry to enter the acquisition, and it is also the basis for cancelling the encumbrances that lapsed with the sale.
Issuing it depends on two conditions: the price being paid in full and the transfer taxes being settled. IMT and Stamp Duty are paid beforehand by the buyer, and the receipts accompany the registration request — meaning the tax money has to be available within the same short window as the balance.
Time can pass between the award and the title, especially in cases with creditor claims or pending incidents. Ownership transfers with the title; effective possession may require further steps when the property is occupied. Those are three distinct moments — award, title and possession — and each deserves its own planning.
Example
Awarded a property at €85,000, the buyer pays the balance and settles €3,400 of IMT and €680 of Stamp Duty. With the receipts, the enforcement agent issues the transfer title; with the title, the acquisition is registered and the earlier mortgages and seizures are cancelled. Only then does the registry show the property in the buyer's name.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notarial deed when buying at auction?
No. The transfer title issued in the case replaces the deed and is sufficient to register the acquisition.
When can I occupy the property?
Ownership transfers with the title. Delivery of possession is immediate if the property is vacant; if occupied, it may require its own steps, which should be anticipated before bidding.
Related terms
Go deeper
From registration to title: the steps to buy at auction without surprises.
Read the full guide