A

Agency fees : Fees payable to the real estate agency in return for its services.
Authentic deed : Official document signed before a notary, definitively transferring ownership to the purchaser.

B

Bare owner : Person who owns a property without the right to use it, which is reserved for the usufructuary.

C

Cadastre : Public register listing land properties for tax purposes.
Capital gains on real estate : Difference between resale price and purchase price, taxable in some cases.
Carte T (professional transaction card) : Authorization from the CCI to work as a real estate agent.
Co-ownership : Legal organization of a building shared between several owners.
Co-ownership regulations (RCP) : Rules governing the functioning of the co-ownership.
Co-ownership trustee : Professional managing the administrative and financial aspects of a co-ownership.
Commercial agent : Independent professional registered in the RSAC.
Commercial lease : Contract governing rental of commercial/industrial/craft premises.
Compromis de vente : Preliminary binding contract prior to the final deed.
Conditions precedent : Clauses that must be met for the sale to become final.
Private deed : Contract signed only between parties, without a notary.
Purchase offer : Written proposal by a buyer to purchase at a set price.

D

Inventory : Document describing the condition of the property at move-in and move-out.
Real estate diagnostics : Mandatory checks before selling or renting.
Right of first refusal : Priority right to purchase for certain authorities or tenants.
Security deposit : Amount paid by tenant to cover unpaid rent or damages.

E

Easement : Charge imposed on a property (e.g., right of way).
Exclusivity (exclusive mandate) : Seller entrusts sale to a single agency.

F

Guarantor (surety) : Person guaranteeing the tenant’s rent.

I-J

Independent real estate agent : Works under a mandate for an agency with a T card; self-employed.
Joint ownership : Several people own the same property jointly (e.g., inheritance).

L

Lease : Rental agreement between landlord and tenant.
Loi Carrez : Law requiring the exact private area of a condominium at sale.

M

Mandate : Contract entrusting an agency with selling or renting a property.
Market value : Estimated price of a property on the market at a given moment.

Mortgage : Guarantee allowing the lender to seize the property in case of non-payment.

N

Notary : Public official who authenticates deeds.
Notary fees : Taxes and costs paid when signing the deed of sale.

P

PEL (Plan Épargne Logement) : Savings product giving access to favorable mortgage rates.
Property tax : Local tax paid by the property owner.
Promise to sell : Contract where the seller undertakes to sell to the buyer (option to purchase).

R

Real estate : Built or unbuilt property.
Rental charges : Expenses reimbursed by tenant (water, common areas, etc.).
Search mandate : Buyer entrusts agency with finding a property.

S

Simple mandate : Seller may work with multiple agencies and sell independently.

U

Usufruct : Right to use a property and collect income without owning it.

V

Visitation voucher : Document signed by the buyer acknowledging the agency-mediated visit.