Legal Support for Purchasing an Apartment in a New Building

Purchasing an apartment in a new building is one of the most attractive options both for acquiring residential property and for investing in real estate. Modern buildings, new utility systems, advanced construction technologies, and the ability to choose a layout make such properties highly desirable. However, alongside their appeal, this process also carries certain risks.

There have been numerous cases involving frozen construction sites, long-term unfinished projects, or situations where investors put money into apartments and end up with nothing. An improperly drafted contract, documentation issues, or the developer’s financial instability may lead to the loss of funds or the inability to register ownership of the property.

To avoid such risks, it is advisable to use the services of legal professionals who provide full legal support for purchasing an apartment in a new building, from verifying the developer to registering property ownership.

The law firm Dominion has long specialized in legal support for real estate purchases and helps clients avoid potential pitfalls. Below, we outline the key stages of legal support in purchasing an apartment in a new building.

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Developer Due Diligence

Before signing any agreement with a developer, it is essential to verify their reliability. This helps to minimize risks related to construction delays, financial fraud, or illegal land use.

Legal support when buying an apartment in a new building includes:

  • Land title analysis. The developer must have documents confirming ownership or lease of the land plot. It is important to verify that the land is designated for residential construction.
  • Verification of permits. Legal construction is impossible without urban planning conditions, a building permit, and approved project documentation. The absence of these may indicate that the building will never be commissioned.
  • Review of legal history. Ongoing legal proceedings may signal problems with the developer — such as debts, conflicts with investors, or government disputes.
  • Assessment of completed projects. If the developer has not completed any previous projects, this may point to inexperience or unreliability (though not necessarily).

Financial Risks and Developer Financial Due Diligence

In addition to legal checks, it is crucial to assess the developer’s financial condition. Even a legally constructed project can be left unfinished due to a lack of funds.

What should be checked?

  • The company’s financial standing – including tax debt analysis, credit history, and financial stability.
  • Investment mechanisms – does the developer use transparent financial instruments? If the investment scheme appears suspicious, it may be a sign of potential fraud.
  • Multiple sales of the same unit – some unscrupulous developers may sign multiple contracts for the same apartment, which leads to litigation.

Check the developer’s reliability together with a lawyer

Contract Review with the Developer

A properly drafted contract ensures that the buyer’s rights are protected. Developers may use various legal mechanisms to formalize relationships with buyers, each with its own specific features.

Main types of agreements used when buying an apartment in a new building:

  • Preliminary sale agreement – secures the intent to buy but does not guarantee the timely fulfillment of obligations by the developer.
  • An agreement on the purchase of property rights is a common form of agreement, but it does not guarantee the timely completion of construction.
  • Participation agreement in a construction financing fund – an official contract, but complex in structure, and it contains legal intricacies.

What do lawyers look for in the agreement?

  • Construction completion deadlines – and the penalties for the developer in case of delays.
  • Possibility of refund – can the buyer terminate the contract and recover funds if the developer fails to fulfill obligations?
  • Rights and obligations of the parties – does the contract specify responsibility for construction quality and deadlines, and what obligations the buyer (investor) has?

Failure to conduct a thorough review of the sale or any other agreement may result in serious legal issues. Poorly drafted terms, lack of guarantees, or unfavorable legal obligations can lead to lengthy and costly court proceedings. Legal restoration of rights can take considerable time and incur expenses for lawyers, court fees, and expert evaluations (if required).

The lawyers at Dominion Law Firm carefully analyze the agreement, identify risks, and help clients sign on favorable terms.

Review your contract together with a lawyer

Property Ownership Registration

After the construction is completed and the building is officially commissioned, it is crucial to properly register the apartment in the State Register of Property Rights to Real Estate. Without this, the buyer cannot fully manage the property (e.g., sell, gift, inherit, or rent it out).

What do lawyers verify at this stage?

  • Technical compliance – does the apartment match the specifications stated at purchase?
  • No encumbrances – are there any arrests or restrictions imposed on the property?
  • Official registration of ownership rights – proper entry of data into the State Register of Property Rights to Real Estate.

Why It’s Important to Involve a Lawyer

  • Comprehensive developer check – lawyers examine all aspects of the developer’s operations, from financial stability to legal and criminal cases.
  • Agreement analysis – specialists identify risky clauses and advise on how to avoid them.
  • Legal support for the transaction – signing the contract is done without risk to the buyer.
  • Protection of client interests – in case of disputes, lawyers represent the buyer’s interests in pre-trial and court proceedings.

If you want to purchase an apartment without unnecessary stress, legal support from Dominion Law Firm is your guarantee of safety and resolution of all legal matters.

Get a real estate legal consultation

Before purchasing real estate, you must gather and analyze a significant amount of information. It is difficult to consider all nuances independently, so hiring a qualified lawyer will help minimize risks and protect your interests. Experts will conduct a full check of the developer, analyze the contract, and oversee the ownership registration process. Legal support gives you confidence in the safety of the transaction and peace of mind in owning your new home. Don’t risk your investment — turn to professionals!

FAQs

Who pays the pension tax when buying an apartment?
The buyer pays the pension tax, which is 1% of the property value stated in the contract. Exemption applies to individuals purchasing housing for the first time, confirmed by a certificate from the State Register of Property Rights to Real Estate (including data from the inseparable archival part of the Register on acquisition, changes, and termination of property rights, as well as changes to related entries). Additionally, the individual must not be registered on a housing waiting list, confirmed by a document from the relevant housing authority. Payment is made before notarization of the sale contract.
How many square meters are tax-exempt when selling an apartment?
When selling an apartment, up to 60 m² is exempt from tax, and for a residential house — up to 120 m², provided it is the first sale within the year and the property has been owned for more than three years.
What should you do after buying an apartment in a new building?
After the purchase, you must register ownership of the property in the State Register of Property Rights. Also, check whether the apartment complies with the technical passport and whether construction work is fully completed. Don’t forget to sign contracts for utilities such as electricity, gas, and water. Make agreements with the management company or notify the homeowners' association (HOA) of your ownership.

Satisfied Client Stories

Nikita Sokol

We had a question about privatizing real estate and contacted him for a consultation.
Oleksandr answered our question quickly, explained, demonstrated, and explained everything like he explained it to little children.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help and patience.
I highly recommend him, he's a team of professionals.

Nikita Sokol
JM

I contacted Dominion regarding taxes when selling real estate. They responded quickly and constructively. Many thanks to Oleksandr! I sincerely recommend Dominion.

J M
Yulia Melnyk

I contacted the company to check the documents before buying an apartment and to support the purchase transaction. I worked with Oleksandr. Oleksandr provided professional advice, provided an inspection report and answered all the questions of concern. He was also present at the transaction and accompanied and helped at all stages. It was important for us to monitor the entire transaction process, since this was the first purchase and everything went smoothly with Oleksandr.
If necessary, we will contact him again.

Yulia Melnyk
Olha Pivtorak

I am very grateful to Olexandr for his help with the purchase of an apartment. Despite the fact that I contacted him the day before the transaction, he managed to analyze all the documents and make amendments to the draft agreement. He was also present at the transaction itself, carefully analyzed all the documents and provided some useful advice on further actions. In the future, when I need legal assistance in real estate, I will contact only him, because Olexandr is a professional and a master of his craft)

Olha Pivtorak
Anastasiya Bilenskaya

I turned to lawyer Oleksandr to support a real estate transaction. I am very satisfied with his work: he carefully delved into all the details, professionally conducted all the stages and provided qualified assistance. Thanks to his support, I felt calm and confident that everything would be done correctly. I sincerely recommend Oleksandr as a highly professional and responsible specialist!

Anastasiya Bilenskaya
Влад Трембанчук

I received professional and meaningful advice. I recommend it!

Vlad Trembanchuk
Ірина

I received professional and very useful advice from lawyer Oleksandr regarding the purchase of an apartment in a new building. He carefully analyzed the contract, explained all the complexities in simple language and paid attention to important details. Thanks to his advice, I felt much more confident and calmer during the purchase process. I am sincerely grateful for the help and responsible attitude! I highly recommend it!

Irina
Artem Bazdyrev

Oleksandr completely conducted the transaction for the purchase of land and real estate for me. Before that, I checked other options, and not without consequences. I was lucky to avoid purchasing real estate in poor condition and on incomprehensible land. A very pleasant person, a good specialist, I even delegated communication with the developer to him. I felt completely legally secure. I recommend him to everyone.

Artem Bazdyrev
Yukhym Romanenko

I contacted Dominion Lawyers with a very difficult question. Where other companies either tried to rip me off with a huge amount or refused to help, here everything was resolved in a couple of phone calls. They even helped on Sunday, which is a day off for the company. For any questions - only here! I strongly recommend them, I have not yet found better lawyers in Ukraine.

Yukhym Romanenko
Inna Pavlenko

I am sincerely impressed by the professional, perfect approach in a short time. To check the reliability, various risks of the transaction, etc., I definitely recommend using the services of "Dominion". Peace of mind and confidence are worth it.

Inna Pavlenko
Diana Gavrylova

Excellent lawyers. Before buying an apartment with them, I checked many housing complexes. In the end, I found a suitable option, all the documents were meticulously studied and all the nuances of the transaction were taken into account.

Diana Gavrylova
Oleksandr Kovalenko

I'm grateful to Oleksandr for his top-quality work. He was very helpful when I was purchasing an apartment. Special thanks for managing the communication with the unprofessional realtor. I've decided that if I ever need legal services, I will contact "Dominion." I've already recommended it to my friends.

Oleksandr Kovalenko
Iryna Grytsenko

I am very grateful to Oleksandr and Andrii for their work! They bought an apartment in a new building and turned to this agency to check the developer's documents, etc. The services are at a high level, and everything is clear for the customer. I ordered an inspection on Tuesday, and already bought an apartment on Friday. The package of services included all inspections and assistance in concluding the agreement. If you want to save your nervous system, money and time, I advise you to contact them!

The sales department also appreciated their work. They asked: "Lord, where did you find them and how much did you pay?", because for two days the entire sales department, the developer's lawyers, etc., were listening. Therefore, if the purchase of real estate, then it is up to them.

Iryna Grytsenko
Dmytro Kolisnichenko

I contacted Dominion Law Firm to weigh all the risks before buying real estate. Oleksandr Pinchuk and his team of lawyers conducted an analysis: they found court cases, debts, and problems with permits. They explained all the risks and advised me not to invest in this residential complex.
I felt that the lawyers were really protecting my interests, not just fulfilling formalities. I recommend them as professionals who think a few steps ahead and always offer clear solutions. Thank you!

Dmytro Kolisnichenko
Inna

They quickly and competently provided assistance in the inspection of the real estate object, special thanks to Oleksandr for the support of the transaction, clear explanation, professional approach. I highly recommend it.

Inna
Валентина Андрєєва

Thank you for your help in resolving the issue.
I advise you to contact professionals✌️

Valentina Andreieva
Artem

Professionals in their field, provided high-quality and fast services! I recommend

Artem
Татьяна Иванченко

I am very grateful, they provided high-quality help, explained and solved all my questions, I definitely recommend!

Tetyana Ivanchenko
Alina Temyrova

Prompt and high-quality work, quickly answered questions!

Alina Temyrova
Nadiya

I would like to highly appreciate the level of service and transaction support provided by Oleksandr and Inna, who analyzed our case and the specifics of the transaction in detail, providing relevant solutions, recommendations and support, I am very grateful to them for their professionalism

Nadiya Severina
Angelina

Inna checked the documents for the agreement and provided all support, including the preparation of documents for the agreement, the impression was: high quality, on time, explained everything, clearly answered all questions.
Also worked with Oleksandr, professionally, everything under control, he will solve any controversial situation calmly and confidently. I recommend this law firm, professionals with whom it is a pleasure to deal and to be confident in their work.

Angelina Horonzhuk
Anna

Urgently, with a lack of documents, they did a comprehensive check and provided clear recommendations. Well done, quickly and qualitatively. Inno, you are the best!

Anna Solyarik
Andriy

We used the service of examination and support for concluding a contract when purchasing an apartment. Everything went quickly and with the highest quality! The company treats with equal care both large transactions and small ones at the level of purchasing a one-room apartment on the secondary market. Our best recommendations!

Andriy Musiyko
Mustafa

Helped quickly and professionally. Ms. Maryana Harnyk very carefully checked the developer's documents and the text of the contract, and provided comprehensive advice on risk analysis, answering numerous questions. I recommend

Mustafa Osmanov
Oleksii

I thank the lawyer Oleksandr Pinchuk for clear and professional recommendations on resolving the conflict situation.

Oleksii Donskoi
Tetiana

My highest recommendations to Dominion Law Group for their customer focus! I have only positive experience of cooperation, special thanks for the always high-quality services provided to the managing partner, Oleksandr Pinchuk, and the lawyer, Iryna Stolyarchuk!

Tetiana Lopashchuk

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