Before you sign anything

Property law decisions deserve clarity, not guesswork

Whether you are purchasing your first condo in the Plateau, selling a duplex in Verdun, or negotiating a commercial lease in Old Montréal, the legal costs should never be a mystery. At Primary Property Law, we publish what every stage actually costs — because informed clients make better decisions and close faster.

"We almost walked away from a deal because our previous notary couldn't give us a straight answer on fees. Primary broke everything down before we even signed the mandate." — Residential buyer, Villeray (2024)
Montréal residential neighbourhood from above

How our fees actually work

We do not bundle services into opaque packages. Each task carries its own fee so you pay only for what your transaction requires. Below is the real breakdown — the same numbers we share with every client on day one.

Service component
Fee basis
Typical range
Title search and examination
Flat rate per property
$350 – $600
Deed of sale preparation
Based on transaction value
$800 – $1,400
Mortgage registration (hypothec)
Flat rate + registry fees
$500 – $900
Servitude or easement review
Hourly
$225 / hr
Co-ownership (condo) declaration review
Flat rate
$450 – $750
Commercial lease negotiation
Hourly or capped project fee
$225 / hr or $1,800 cap
Land registry publication
Government fee + admin
$150 – $300

Disbursements such as registry fees, certificate costs, and courier charges are billed at cost with no markup. We provide a written estimate within 48 hours of your initial consultation so there are no surprises at closing. GST and QST apply to professional fees. Adjustments are discussed in advance if the scope changes.

Is this the right fit for your situation?

  • You are buying, selling, or refinancing residential property in Quebec
  • You need a notary to examine title, draft deeds, or register a hypothec
  • You are negotiating or reviewing a commercial lease
  • You want transparent pricing before committing to a mandate
  • You are dealing with co-ownership disputes, boundary issues, or servitudes

We work with individuals, couples, investors, and small businesses across Greater Montréal. Our practice does not handle criminal law, family law, or immigration — we focus entirely on property-related matters under the Civil Code of Québec. That specialisation means faster turnarounds and deeper knowledge of land registry procedure, municipal zoning, and the Régie du logement framework.

If your matter falls outside our scope, we will refer you to a trusted colleague at no charge.

What we cover

A capability map instead of vague promises. Each area below represents a distinct competency within our property law practice.

Title examination

Full chain-of-title review through the Quebec Land Register, identifying encumbrances, liens, hypothecs, and irregularities before you commit to a purchase.

Deed drafting and notarisation

Preparation and execution of deeds of sale, deeds of transfer, donation deeds, and partition agreements in compliance with Quebec notarial law.

Co-ownership law

Review of declarations of co-ownership, by-law amendments, common-element disputes, and syndicate governance under articles 1038–1109 of the Civil Code.

Mortgage and hypothec registration

Drafting and publishing hypothecary deeds at the land registry, coordinating with lenders, and handling discharge upon repayment.

Lease review and negotiation

Commercial and residential lease analysis, rent-review preparation, and representation before the Tribunal administratif du logement.

Boundary and servitude disputes

Survey coordination, right-of-way analysis, encroachment resolution, and registration of servitude agreements under the Civil Code.

Interior of our Montréal property law office

Why pricing transparency matters in property law

In Quebec, notarial fees for property transactions are not regulated by a fixed tariff. That means two firms can quote vastly different amounts for the same deed of sale. We believe the gap is often explained by bundled overhead, not by superior legal work.

Our approach is different: we itemise every component — title search, deed preparation, registry publication, adjustments — so you can compare apples to apples. If a competitor offers a lower fee on one line item, we want you to see exactly where the difference lies.

This model has helped us maintain a referral rate above seventy percent. Clients return because they trust the invoice will match the estimate.

"I recommended Primary to three colleagues after my own closing. The final bill was $22 less than the estimate — they actually credited a courier charge that wasn't needed." — Commercial landlord, Saint-Henri

Your journey through a typical transaction

1. Initial call

A 15-minute phone or video call to understand your situation. No charge, no obligation. We confirm whether we can help and outline likely costs.

2. Written estimate

Within 48 hours you receive a line-by-line fee estimate covering professional fees and anticipated disbursements.

3. Title work

We search the Quebec Land Register, examine the chain of title, review municipal certificates, and flag any issues to you in plain language.

4. Document drafting

Deed of sale, hypothecary deed, or lease — drafted, reviewed with you, and adjusted until you are comfortable signing.

5. Closing and registration

We execute the deed, handle fund disbursement, publish at the registry, and deliver your certified copies. Done.

Questions we hear most often

Straightforward answers to help you decide before you call.

Do I need a notary for every property transaction in Quebec?
Yes. Under Quebec law, all deeds transferring immovable property must be executed before a notary to be published at the land registry. Unlike common-law provinces, a lawyer alone cannot close a real-estate transaction in Quebec — a notary is required by the Civil Code.
Can I get a binding quote before signing a mandate?
We provide a detailed written estimate that becomes binding once you accept the mandate letter. If unforeseen complexities arise — for example, a title defect requiring additional research — we discuss the adjustment with you before proceeding.
How long does a standard residential closing take?
From mandate to closing, most residential transactions take between three and five weeks. The timeline depends on lender requirements, municipal certificate turnaround, and the parties' availability for signing.
What happens if the title search reveals a problem?
We report the issue to you with a clear explanation and recommended next steps. Common issues include unpaid municipal taxes, undischarged hypothecs, or unregistered servitudes. In many cases these can be resolved before closing; if not, we advise on your options under the offer to purchase.
Do you handle transactions outside Greater Montréal?
We serve clients across Quebec. For properties outside the greater Montréal area, we coordinate with local surveyors and municipal offices remotely. Signing can often be arranged via a colleague notary closer to the property if travel is impractical.

Start with a quick inquiry

Tell us what you need and we will respond with a preliminary estimate within one business day.

Or reach us directly

+1 514 609-6396

[email protected]

89767 Martha Mount, H2X 1Y4 Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Legal information

Privacy policy

Primary Property Law collects personal information (name, email, phone, property details) solely to respond to inquiries and deliver legal services. We do not sell, rent, or share your data with third parties except as required by law or with your explicit consent. Data is stored on encrypted servers within Canada and retained for seven years in accordance with Quebec professional obligations. You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data by contacting us at [email protected]. We use essential cookies to remember your consent preferences; no tracking or advertising cookies are deployed. This policy was last reviewed on January 15, 2026.

Terms of service

By using this website you agree to these terms. The content on primarypropertylaw.click is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. No solicitor-client or notary-client relationship is formed until a written mandate letter is signed by both parties. Primary Property Law reserves the right to decline any mandate at its discretion. Fee estimates are non-binding until confirmed in a signed mandate. All disputes arising from these terms are governed by the laws of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. These terms were last updated on January 15, 2026.

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