Notary in Mauritius: role, fees and everything you need to know before buying real estate

Notary in Mauritius: role, fees and everything you need to know before buying real estate

Buying a house, selling family land or investing in an apartment is often the project of a lifetime. In Mauritius, the notary is one of the professionals who accompanies you in these important moments. Their role is to protect the interests of all parties and to ensure that each transaction complies with the law.

Whether you are Mauritian or a foreign investor, here is everything you need to know before signing a sales deed.

What is the purpose of a notary in Mauritius?

In Mauritius, the notary is a public officer appointed by the State. Their independence and professional responsibility make them a true guarantor of legal security.

Contrary to popular belief, the notary does not merely have documents signed.

Before the sale, they notably verify:

• that the seller is indeed the owner of the property;

• that the property is not burdened by a mortgage or other charge;

• that all documents are in order;

• that the transaction complies with Mauritian legislation.

They then draft the authentic deed, proceed with its signature and complete all formalities with the Registrar-General.

Their involvement protects both buyer and seller and helps prevent many disputes. This is why notaries are essential partners in any real estate transaction in Mauritius. (www.propertymap.mu)

In which cases must you necessarily go to a notary?

The use of a notary is essential for most real estate deeds:

• purchase or sale of a house;

• purchase of an apartment or land;

• real estate donation;

• succession including real estate.

Foreign purchasers must also go to a notary to buy property in the PDS, IRS, RES, Smart City programmes or a G+2 apartment.

How much do notary fees cost in Mauritius?

This is probably the most frequently asked question.

The fees include:

• the notary's fees;

• VAT on these fees;

• administrative fees (searches, copies, registrations...);

• government taxes when applicable.

The notary's fees are fixed according to a progressive scale provided for by Mauritian regulations. (Laws of Mauritius)

They are calculated as follows:

• 2% on the first Rs 250,000

• 1.5% on the following Rs 500,000

• 1% on the following Rs 1,000,000

• 0.5% on the balance

To these fees is added VAT of 15%. (FODY Properties)

Calculation example

For a property sold for Rs 8,000,000:

• 2% on Rs 250,000 = Rs 5,000

• 1.5% on Rs 500,000 = Rs 7,500

• 1% on Rs 1,000,000 = Rs 10,000

• 0.5% on the remaining Rs 6,250,000 = Rs 31,250

Fees: Rs 53,750

VAT (15%): Rs 8,062.50

Total: Rs 61,812.50, excluding administrative disbursements. (FODY Properties)

Do you want to know the exact cost of your project?

Use our notary fee calculator for free on YKONE Real Estate. In a few seconds, you get a personalized estimate of your acquisition fees.

Calculate my notary fees

(Link to: https://ykonerealestate.com/calculateur-frais-de-notaire)

Can you choose your own notary?

Yes.

Even when a real estate developer works with a notarial office, you are free to choose your own notary.

This is often recommended to benefit from completely independent advice, especially during a first purchase or a significant investment.

Does the notary only intervene for real estate?

Not at all.

Notaries also support Mauritian families in many important moments of their lives:

• drafting of a will;

• donations;

• successions;

• marriage contracts;

• certain company deeds.

They play an essential role in protecting family assets and preparing for their transmission.

Buy with peace of mind with YKONE Real Estate

At YKONE Real Estate, we support our clients far beyond finding a property. We work with several recognized notarial offices in Mauritius so that each transaction takes place under the best conditions, with transparency and security.

Before making an offer, we recommend using our notary fee calculator. You will immediately know the budget to set aside and can move forward with your real estate project with full confidence.

👉 Try our notary fee calculator for free:
https://ykonerealestate.com/calculateur-frais-de-notaire

FAQ

Is a notary mandatory to buy property in Mauritius?

Yes. A notary is required to buy or sell a house, an apartment or land, and for a donation or an estate that includes real estate. Foreign buyers also go through a notary to buy under the PDS, IRS, RES or Smart City schemes, or a G+2 apartment.

How are notary fees calculated in Mauritius?

They follow a sliding scale: 2% on the first Rs 250,000, 1.5% on the next Rs 500,000, 1% on the next Rs 1,000,000, then 0.5% on the balance. 15% VAT is added to these fees.

How much does the notary cost for a Rs 8 million property?

The fees come to Rs 53,750, plus Rs 8,062.50 of VAT, for a total of Rs 61,812.50, excluding administrative disbursements. For an estimate tailored to your project, use our notary fees calculator.

Can I choose my own notary when buying from a developer?

Yes. Even if the developer works with a notary's office, you remain free to choose your own notary. This is often recommended to get fully independent advice, especially for a first purchase or a large investment.

What does the notary check before the sale?

The notary checks that the seller actually owns the property, that it is free of any mortgage or other charge, that the documents are in order and that the transaction complies with Mauritian law. The notary then drafts the authentic deed and completes the formalities with the Registrar-General.

How much can you borrow in Mauritius? Run the numbers with our mortgage simulator.