In short
01

What is real estate due diligence?

It is the legal check of a property before you sign. We go through the cadastral extract, the ownership history, mortgages, seizures and easements, disputes and planning documents. The point is simple: you should know what you are buying, not what the listing says.

02

What is a cadastral extract?

It is the official document from the Public Services Agency showing the registered owner, the recorded area and any charges entered against the property: a mortgage, a seizure, an easement. Without an up-to-date extract, you cannot tell whether the seller actually has the right to sell.

Real estate law and transactions

On Moldova's property market, what you don't check costs you the most

An apartment with an undisclosed mortgage, land with a dispute inherited from the previous owner or a building permit issued incorrectly. On the Chișinău market, unpleasant surprises surface months after signing. Legal verification before the transaction is the only real form of protection.

We don't use templates. Every property is analysed individually: ownership history, cadastre records, existing encumbrances, neighbour relations and urban planning compliance. Then we tell you exactly what risks you take on if you sign.
What we cover

Real estate legal services

From buying your first apartment to a full-scale development project, these services cover every stage where you need real estate legal support.

01

Real estate transactions

Buying an apartment, selling land or investing in commercial space? We structure the deal from negotiation to notarial authentication, verify the counterpart and make sure the price, terms and warranties reflect the actual risks of the property.

02

Property due diligence

Before any signature, you need to know what you are really buying. We check the cadastre extract, ownership history, existing encumbrances (mortgages, seizures, easements), pending litigation and compliance with planning documentation. Point by point.

03

Lease and operation agreements

Renting office space on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare or a warehouse on the outskirts? We draft lease agreements that clearly set out rent, terms, maintenance obligations, termination conditions and indexation mechanisms, whether you are the tenant or the landlord.

04

Construction and real estate development

A construction project involves dozens of legal relationships: with the general contractor, designers, suppliers and subcontractors. We negotiate and draft construction contracts, resolve on-site disputes and verify compliance with technical standards and agreed timelines.

05

Permits, urban planning and public authorities

The urban planning certificate, utility approvals and building permit. The process is long and bureaucratic. We guide you through each stage, challenge unjustified refusals and make sure the file submitted to the municipality is complete on the first try.

06

Property disputes

Contested ownership, a neighbour's unauthorised construction, a boundary dispute or a breached sale promise: property disputes escalate quickly. We appear in court with a clear strategy, backed by cadastre evidence, technical expertise and up-to-date legislation.

When it helps

Situations where you need us

Buying an apartment and want to be sure the documents are cleanWe check the property's history in the cadastre, existing encumbrances and any pending litigation. All before you sign at the notary.
Selling a property that has passed through several ownersWe prepare the sale file, resolve cadastre discrepancies and ensure a clean transfer with no surprises for the buyer.
Negotiating a long-term commercial leaseWe draft a balanced lease agreement with indexation clauses, expense allocation and clear renewal or termination mechanisms.
Planning a construction project and need contracts with the builderWe structure the legal relationship with the general contractor, subcontractors and designers: deadlines, penalties and performance guarantees.
You need an urban planning certificate or building permitWe guide you through the municipal procedure, prepare the complete file and challenge any unjustified refusals.
Your neighbour built beyond your property boundaryWe assess the legal situation, request a cadastral survey and prepare the court action to restore your boundaries.
How we work

How we work with you

01 / LISTEN

Understand the transaction

Which property, who the parties are, your goals and what concerns you.

02 / VERIFY

Run due diligence

Cadastre, ownership history, encumbrances, disputes and planning compliance all go through the filter.

03 / BUILD

Prepare the documents

Contract, warranties, conditions precedent. Every clause is tailored to your specific situation.

04 / COMPLETE

Stay with you through closing

Notary, cadastre, acceptance: we are there until the deal is done and registered.

SafetyYou know exactly what you are buying, what encumbrances you assume and what risks remain.
TransparencyEvery issue found during due diligence is discussed openly, with solutions.
ProtectionYour contract has clauses that work when things don't go as planned.
EfficiencyYou avoid hold-ups at the cadastre, the notary or with public authorities.
Vladislav Mocanu

Vladislav Mocanu

Legal counsel · Founder, Mocanu | Legal · real estate law, property due diligence and development projects in Moldova

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ: real estate law in Moldova

How do I check an apartment before buying it?
The first step is an up-to-date extract from the Public Services Agency (cadastre), which shows the actual owner, registered area and existing encumbrances: mortgages, seizures, easements. Then we review the ownership history over recent years, any pending litigation and whether the apartment matches its cadastral plan. On the Chișinău market, at least a third of transactions have at least one minor documentation issue.
What risks can arise when buying land in Moldova?
The most common ones: land with a designated use incompatible with your building plans, actual area differing from the documents, a dispute inherited from previous owners, unregistered encumbrances or planning restrictions (protected zone, setback requirements from roads). A thorough property due diligence uncovers all of these before you sign.
How important is the construction contract?
It is the document that defines exactly what the contractor must deliver, by when and to what standard. Without a clear contract you have no leverage over delays, quality defects or budget overruns. A good construction contract includes interim milestones, stage-based penalties, a performance guarantee and a detailed acceptance procedure.
What if the municipality refuses the building permit?
The refusal can be challenged through an administrative appeal to the local council or in the administrative court. The key is understanding the reason: sometimes it is a documentation issue that can be fixed, other times it is a genuine planning restriction (protected zone, absence of a Zonal Urban Plan). We analyse the situation and recommend the most efficient path forward.
My neighbour built past my property line. What can I do?
The first step is to check the cadastral plans for both properties at the Public Services Agency. If the plans confirm that the neighbour has crossed the boundary, a court-ordered cadastral survey can be requested. The court action aims to restore the boundaries according to the documents and, if necessary, order the demolition of unauthorised structures.
Do I really need a lawyer when signing at the notary?
The notary verifies the parties' identities and formal legality, but does not analyse your commercial risks: they won't tell you whether the price is fair, whether hidden encumbrances exist or whether the contract terms disadvantage you. A real estate lawyer checks the substance of the deal, not just the form, and protects you before it is too late.
Who handles the real estate deal: an attorney or a legal counsel?
Property checks, negotiation and documentation are handled by the team's legal counsels. If the transaction turns into an ownership dispute, an attorney admitted to the Moldovan Bar takes over. We tell you who is responsible for what from the start.
How much does a lawyer cost for a real estate deal?
The first consultation is free. Property checks are priced at a fixed fee, set by the type of property and how complicated the ownership history is. You get the figure before we start, not at the end.

Book a Consultation

Fill out the form, and our specialists will contact you to confirm the date and time of your consultation.

During the consultation, you will receive:
  • an initial assessment of your situation
  • an understanding of the key legal risks
  • recommendations for further legal support

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