How are notary fees calculated?
"Notary fees" represent around 7 to 8% of the price for existing property and 2 to 3% for new-build. Their largest share corresponds to transfer duties paid to the State and local authorities (taxes), and not to the notary's fee, which follows a regulated, degressive tariff.
What "notary fees" actually cover
The expression is misleading: the notary's fee (the emoluments) represents only a small part of the total. Most "notary fees" are in fact taxes that the notary collects on behalf of the State and local authorities.
- Transfer duties for valuable consideration (DMTO): the largest part, paid to the department and the municipality.
- The notary's emoluments: their fee, set by a regulated tariff that is degressive with the price.
- Disbursements: sums advanced by the notary for documents and formalities (land registry, mortgage status).
- The property security contribution, levied for land registration.
Existing or new-build: a big difference
For existing property, count around 7 to 8% of the price. For new-build (off-plan sale or first sale), the transfer duties are reduced: the fees fall to around 2 to 3%.
The fees are calculated on the price of the property, excluding furniture: deducting the value of the movables (fitted kitchen, appliances) from the price can slightly reduce the taxable base, provided you can justify it.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the notary fees?
It is the buyer who pays the notary fees, unless there is a specific clause ("acte en main"). They are added to the sale price and paid on the day the authenticated deed is signed.
Can you reduce the notary fees?
You can deduct the justifiable value of the furniture from the calculation base, and new-build is much less taxed than existing property. The notary's emoluments may also be subject to a slight discount above a certain amount.
Are notary fees negotiable?
The taxes are not. Only the notary's emoluments may, above a high price threshold, be subject to a discount governed by the regulations.
Read next
- Service-Public.fr : frais d'acquisition (frais de notaire)
- Notaires de France : barème des émoluments
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