The buyer’s cooling-off and reflection periods

When buying property in France, the buyer can withdraw after signing the contracts, within certain periods. The cooling-off period must be distinguished from the reflection period.

The SRU law protects non-professional buyers by giving them a cooling-off period, during which no deposit may be paid. This right lets the buyer go back on their decision within a set time. The seller, on the other hand, has no cooling-off period once the preliminary contract is signed.

Cooling-off period for contracts

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The buyer has a 10-day cooling-off period starting the day after the contract is signed, provided it has been notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (whether a private agreement or a compromis). For a compromis, the ten days only start once all the mandatory documents have been given to the buyer. In general, when the compromis is signed, the notaire makes sure that every document is attached.

Reflection period for authentic deeds

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When the sale is signed directly by authentic deed, signing can only take place after a 10-day period during which the buyer must take the time needed to consider the commitments they are about to make. The period runs from the notification of the draft deed by registered letter.

(For a bank loan, the borrower cannot accept the loan offer before the 11th day after receiving it.)

If the buyer wishes to withdraw during the cooling-off period, they simply send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt stating their wish to withdraw. In that case, the notaire has 21 days from the day after the notification to refund any deposit paid.