When do you need a cadastral drawing?
A cadastral drawing records the legal boundaries and layout of a plot or building. It is an indispensable document for a cadastral subdivision, for example when a building is divided into separate apartment rights or when part of a home is legally separated for sale or rental under a separate house number. Notaries use the drawing as an appendix to the deed of subdivision, and the Land Registry (Kadaster) records it in the public registers.
Common situations in which a cadastral drawing is required:
- Subdivision of a multi-family home into separate apartment rights.
- Sale of a separate apartment or commercial unit within an existing building.
- Rental of part of the home under a separate house number, with legal separation.
- Modification of an existing subdivision, for example when merging or dividing units.
What is shown on a cadastral drawing?
A cadastral drawing shows the boundary of each unit within the building, marked with a unique index number that corresponds to the deed of subdivision. The floor plan is shown to scale for each storey, with private areas and communal spaces clearly distinguished. A north arrow, scale indication and plot boundaries complete the picture.
The Land Registry (Kadaster) sets strict requirements for format, scale, line thickness and the marking of units. The drawing is delivered as a PDF in A3 format in a predefined structure, so that the notary can include it directly as an appendix to the deed of subdivision and the Land Registry can process the registration without returning it.
Requirements of the Land Registry and notary
The legal status of a cadastral drawing makes accuracy crucial. The drawing must meet the requirements of the Land Registry (Kadaster), as laid down in the measurement instruction and the application requirements for subdivision drawings. Key requirements are the correct scale (usually 1:100 or 1:200), correct indexing per unit and clear marking of private areas versus communal spaces.
The notary checks whether the drawing matches the text of the deed of subdivision and the subdivision regulations. Inconsistencies between the drawing and the deed lead to the Land Registry returning the documents and delays in the legal handling. An experienced draftsman prevents these errors by aligning the drawing in parallel with the notarial text.
What does a cadastral drawing cost?
The price of a cadastral drawing depends on the number of units, the number of storeys and the complexity of the building. A simple subdivision of a semi-detached house into two units can be drawn more quickly than a stacked building with six apartments, communal stairwells and storage units on the ground floor. Request a quote for a concrete price based on your situation.
In addition to the costs of the drafting work, you should account for notary costs for the deed of subdivision itself and registration fees from the Land Registry. In the case of subdivision, municipal fees and possibly a permit for housing creation may also apply, depending on the policy in your municipality.
Difference with other subdivision documents
A cadastral drawing, also known as a subdivision drawing for the Land Registry, records legal ownership boundaries. An technical subdivision drawing or permit drawing for subdividing a home may additionally be required by the municipality: this concerns construction, fire safety and sound insulation between residential units. Both documents are complementary and belong to a complete subdivision.
When subdividing into apartment rights, a set of subdivision regulations is also included with the deed of subdivision, governing among other things the voting ratio, communal costs and the powers of the owners' association (VvE). The drawing is therefore part of a broader legal dossier drawn up by the notary.
