Outstanding debts
You should make sure that any outstanding debts, such as mortgages, unpaid Community fees etc, are paid by the vendor before paying him the purchase price and signing the Deed of Purchase/sale. Frequently the buyer, with the help of his lawyer simply deducts or retains the amounts owed by the vendor from the purchase price and settles the debts on his behalf. This should be agreed between the parties prior to the appointment with the notary public.

In any case, it’s important to remember the following with respects to the only kinds of debts that could be claimed against the property:
1. Mortgages and other such encumbrances will be checked by the notary himself before you sign the sales deed by way of a Certificate from the Land Registration.
2. Debts with the owners association: the notary will require the vendor to give him a certificate from the Owners Ass. proving that there are now outstanding debts.
3. Local Land Tax (“IBI”): the notary will require the vendor to give him the original of the last IBI tax receipt.