Buy your home without worries with legal advice

Questioner

In connection with the purchase of a new home, we have received a draft purchase agreement. Now there is an article in it that worries me. This is a property that has not been occupied by the sellers. The following article is included in the purchase deed: By way of exception to Article 6.3. of this purchase agreement and Article 7:17 paragraph 1 and 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, the total or partial absence of one or more properties of the immovable property for normal and special use and any other failure of the property to comply with the agreement as a result of the presence of any asbestos in any composition and/or in any location whatsoever shall be at the expense and risk of the buyer. In itself a normal article, only the addition 'As a result of Asbestos' worries me. What could be going on here? Thank you in advance!

Lawyer

What is going on is not known. This provision places liability as a result of the presence of asbestos on you. It is therefore important to have the possible presence of this in the home properly investigated, in order to avoid surprises later. In this context, you are wise to conclude the purchase subject to a positive structural investigation and an asbestos inventory.