FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS   What are these older blocks of flats from the Soviet era like? They were solidly built and spacious. Many have balconies and communal heating. It is becoming increasingly common for the apartment owners to get together to have the outside of the building, stairways etc renovated.   Are there Leasehold obligations in Estonia? Not as such, all properties are freehold, but there are residents' groups or management companies which collect monthly contributions for utilities and maintenance. Many properties have regular residents' meetings and more significant decisions involve consultation with apartment owners.   Do I need lawyer? Buyer and seller are not normally individually represented. The sale is carried out by a Notary who is responsible for making sure there are no problems. Their fees are set by law, according to the value of the sale.   What other costs are there for the legal work? The purchase is subject to state tax. If you attend the notary in person a translator will be needed, up to 45 Euros, unless you speak Estonian. If you will not attend yourself then you will need to have a Power of Attorney, the choice of person to represent you would be discussed when you sign the purchase agreement.   Do I get the keys at the Notary so I can get into the property? No, the Notary contract will set a date when you, or your representative, will meet the sellers at the property - together with the selling agent. At that meeting the utilities meters are read, the condition of the property confirmed and the keys are handed over. The Notary is obliged to tell you that the property is not formally owned by you until the change of ownership is recorded at the Land Registry, some 3-6 weeks later.   What tax is due on property from the owner? As an owner you will be liable for land tax, based on the state's assessment of what it is worth. This is a nominal amount, from 0.1% of the assessed value, and is likely to be in the tens of euros per year.   What rate of return could I expect from rental? This will vary from one property to another, we can give approximate yields for any property that you are interested in. You will be liable for tax on the sale if you benefit from capital growth unless you have been resident in the property for a reasonable time.   Are apartments leasehold? No. All properties are freehold and will be registered at the Land Registry, whose records are available online. Those few properties which have not yet been registered cannot be sold, and the Notary will not proceed with the transaction. We confirm that any property we offer is freehold.   Is there a limit to how much property I can buy? There is no limit to the number of properties you may buy, but individual foreign buyers may not buy any individual plot over 100,000 sqm.   How do I reserve a property? A deposit of 10-20% is required to reserve. The balance may be requested very shortly after, depending how long it takes to get a notary appointment. The whole process can be completed in less than 2 weeks so it is important that finance is in place.   Can a married person buy property on their own? Yes, but their spouse must consent to any mortgage, and their agreement is needed if the property is subsequently sold. The spouse must be a party to any Power of Attorney which covers mortgage or sales transactions.   Do I need a survey? A survey is not usually needed, unless a mortgage is applied for. This will be a valuation to make sure the loan is secured, the size of the property is more important than its condition and defects are not likely to be commented upon. Valuations do tend to be a little on the pessimistic side. If you wish to have a report on the condition of the property we can arrange that for you.   Can I get a mortgage? Estonian banks are keen to lend to foreign buyers at attractive rates, subject to status. They generally lend up to 60-65% of their valuation, for up to 30 years - depending on the age of the applicant. Go to our "Links" page to find out more. All the major banks offer sophisticated Internet banking accounts which allow overseas buyers to manage their money and their property online.   I want to build my home. What sort of planning controls are there? Land registry records will show any restrictions on development. Planning applications take up to 9-18 months to process. There are restrictions on distances between new houses and roads, rivers, sea and other dwellings' water and drainage installations. Where an existing house in poor condition is to be replaced it is possible to build the new one with the same "footprint" with no new consent. Building costs are currently £6-700 per sqm.