Sabine’s Real Estate Advice

Buying a Property Under a Building Lease: What You Need to Know

A few weeks ago, I showed some buyers who had fallen in love with a chalet in St-Cergue. Everything seemed perfect… until they discovered it was built on land subject to a building lease.
Their first reaction was: “Oh, so this isn’t a good deal?”
Not at all! My advice is simple: a surface rights lease isn’t a deal-breaker, as long as you understand the rules. It’s essential to check the remaining term of the lease, the amount of the ground rent, and the renewal conditions.
My advice? Don’t let the term “surface rights” deter you. If analyzed carefully, it can represent an excellent opportunity to purchase a property at an attractive price.