The back story
Buying in Marrakech: riads, villas and the notary
A foreigner can buy registered, non-agricultural property within a town in Morocco; the title deed, the notary and a payment through the bank are what make it yours. What to know before you fall for a riad.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © calflier001 · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe UK Foreign Office’s guidance is plain: a British citizen can buy any immovable property registered for non-agricultural use and located within an urban agglomeration. Property in Morocco is registered, in the process of registration or unregistered, and the difference matters: without the title deeds you do not officially own the property, however much you have paid. You must appoint a notary; an independent lawyer to check the documents is advisable.
Who can buy
Foreign buyers can purchase immovable property registered for non-agricultural use within an urban agglomeration (GOV.UK). The Foreign Office advises against buying property under seizure, mortgaged property, property on a long-term lease, property subject to expropriation and all undivided property, and never to buy in someone else’s name.
The title deed and the notary
Registered property is governed by the registration law of 1913 and the legislation of 1915 on registered buildings; unregistered property falls under Muslim law and the Moroccan civil code. A notary or lawyer is best placed to guide you; the offer is verbal, then a preliminary contract, legally binding, is signed with a deposit, and that should be done with your notary (GOV.UK).
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © muffinn from Worcester, UK · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsPaying, renting and selling
Pay through the bank, from a convertible account your notary will advise on. Rental income is taxed, and a sale at a profit is subject to capital gains tax (GOV.UK). We print no prices or yields.
Appoint your notary before you make an offer, and never sign a paper you do not understand.
Our advice: a medina riad needs a survey by someone who knows earthen walls and old roofs; ask your notary for one.
Why it's on our list
- Who can buy
- The title deed and the notary
- Paying, renting and selling
Location
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