If you are buying property in Malta, the konvenju — the promise of sale — is the document that turns a handshake into a binding commitment. It sits between the offer and the final deed, and getting it right protects both sides.
What the konvenju does
The konvenju binds the buyer and seller to complete the sale on agreed terms within a set period, usually three to four months. It records the price, what is included, and the conditions that must be met before the final contract.
Deposit and timelines
A deposit of around 10% is typically lodged with the notary on signing. Provisional stamp duty of 1% is paid at this stage, with the balance due on the final deed. If the buyer walks away without cause, the deposit is usually forfeited.
What to check before signing
Confirm searches are clean, that any permits and conditions are explicit, and that the completion conditions — financing, planning, ground rent — are spelled out. A good notary does this work; a careful buyer reads it anyway.