Kiinteistönsiirto

Kiinteistönsiirto refers to the legal transfer of ownership of real estate in Finland. This process involves changing the registered owner of a property in the Finnish Land Register. The transfer is typically initiated when a property is sold, inherited, or gifted.

The core documentation for a kiinteistönsiirto is the deed of conveyance, often referred to as a kauppakirja (for sales) or lahjakirja (for gifts). This document must clearly identify the seller(s) and buyer(s), the property being transferred, the agreed-upon price (if applicable), and the date of the transaction. Both parties must sign the deed, and in the case of a sale, a notary public may be involved to verify signatures and ensure the legality of the transaction.

Following the signing of the deed, the buyer must apply for registration of the transfer in the Finnish Land Register, maintained by the National Land Survey of Finland (Maanmittauslaitos). This application requires submitting the signed deed and paying any applicable transfer taxes or fees. The transfer tax, known as varainsiirtovero, is a percentage of the property's purchase price or market value. Once the registration is complete, the buyer is officially recognized as the new legal owner of the property.

A kiinteistönsiirto can also occur due to inheritance. In such cases, the heirs will receive the property according to the terms of a will or the laws of intestacy, and the ownership is then transferred through a probate process and subsequent registration. Regardless of the reason for the transfer, proper documentation and registration are crucial to ensure clear and legally sound ownership.