Reader's experience: a small overlooked formality in an apartment sale can cause big trouble

A TVNET reader named Gunta has shared her experience of selling a family apartment. According to her account, the deal initially went smoothly — the purchase agreement was signed before a notary, and the buyer's payment had already been received into her account. It seemed the transaction was almost complete.

However, as Gunta points out, the word "almost" turned out to be crucial in this case. The purchase agreement included a clause stating that within 30 days of receiving the full purchase price, the apartment had to be handed over to the buyer, with both parties signing a handover-acceptance act.

A formality with consequences

Such an act typically serves in real estate transactions as formal confirmation that a property has actually and legally been transferred to its new owner. In Gunta's case, this seemingly technical contract clause became the reason the closing of the deal took longer and proved more complicated than either party had originally expected.

Her story is a reminder that even after payment has been received and a contract signed before a notary, a transaction may not be considered legally and practically complete until every formality specified in the agreement has been fulfilled. Deadlines and procedures that may seem minor at the moment of signing can later prove decisive, both in terms of time and potential additional difficulties.

The piece originally appeared in the TVNET+ archive in September 2025, as part of a series in which readers share their personal experiences with various everyday and legal situations, including real estate transactions.