Property templates and checklistsEstonia

Reviewed October 28, 2026. Not legal advice. Have a notary or lawyer check your case before you sign.

Buying

1
Make an offer
The buyer makes an offer to the seller or the estate agent, by email or in a short letter. The offer binds no one to the sale.
2
Reservation (broneerimisleping)
Agents often ask for a reservation agreement and a fee. The Supreme Court accepts a private one only if the fee is reasonable.
3
No private pre-contract
The fee may pay only for keeping the property off the market for a time, and no party may have to buy or sell later. Otherwise it is a void pre-contract.
4
Choose a notary
A contract to buy or sell real estate is void without a notary (Asjaõigusseadus § 119). The notary can certify it remotely (kaugtõestamine).
5
Draft and sign the deed
The notary checks the land register (kinnistusraamat) and sends the draft to both parties. One deed can hold the sale contract and the real right agreement.
6
Need time, for example for a loan
Sign a notarial pre-contract first, or a sale contract with a priority notice (eelmärge).
7
Pay and become the owner
The buyer can pay through the notary's deposit account. The buyer becomes the owner when the land register court enters the transfer.

Law (Võlaõigusseadus, VÕS): VÕS §§ 271 to 338. A clause that departs from the law to the tenant's disadvantage is void.
Rent increases: No rent cap. The tenant can contest an increase that is not economically justified within 30 days (VÕS §§ 301 and 303).
Lease term: Fixed-term or open-ended, with no minimum term. Neither party can end a fixed-term lease early without a serious reason.
Notice, open-ended lease: At least 3 months for either party, in a form that can be reproduced in writing, such as an email.
Deposit (tagatisraha): At most 3 months' rent. The tenant can pay it in three monthly parts.
Contesting a landlord's notice: Within 30 days if it breaks good faith, before a rent committee (üürikomisjon) where one exists, or a court.
Bill 1062 SE (not yet law): Initiated on 19 October 2026. A landlord could end a lease once arrears reach one month's rent.
Bill 1062 SE: time to pay: The tenant would get 30 days to pay instead of 14. Planned start date: 1 October 2027.