Renting a flat without a contract? Risks for landlords and tenants in Moldova
What landlords and tenants lose without a rental contract in Moldova: deposit, utilities, evidence, 7% tax and a practical checklist.
Read the articleReal Estate &
Construction
We review properties and documents, advise on transactions and construction projects, and handle land and contract disputes in Moldova.
We check the property, documents, and registry restrictions.
Review
What early legal review gives a property
We review title, documents and restrictions before they become an expensive problem.
Title
Purchasing or leasing commercial space
Before investing, you must verify the clarity of title, absence of hidden encumbrances, red lines, and the legality of previous ownership transfers.
- Title review
- Encumbrances
- Risk map
Asset
Launching a development project
You are planning construction. It is necessary to obtain an urban planning certificate and construction authorization without delays and unjustified refusals.
- Agreement
- Risk allocation
- Negotiation
Risk
Problematic assets and legalization
The object is built with project deviations, or the land plot is not properly registered. The goal is to bring documentation into legal compliance (Recepția finală).
- Payment mechanics
- Document transfer
- Signing control
Our Real Estate Expertise
We ensure the legal security of the asset at all stages of its lifecycle—from land allocation to sale to end buyers.
Legal Audit (Real Estate Due Diligence)
When the asset must be checked before the transaction, not after an expensive surprise.
Legal Audit (Real Estate Due Diligence)
When the asset must be checked before the transaction, not after an expensive surprise.
Legal Audit (Real Estate Due Diligence)
Deep verification of the object's history, analysis of urban plans (PUG, PUZ), checking privatization legality, and identifying title-challenge risks.
Apartment check before purchase
When the buyer needs to know whether the property is in the register and whether hidden risks exist.
Apartment check before purchase
When the buyer needs to know whether the property is in the register and whether hidden risks exist.
Apartment check before purchase
We check cadastral data, seller rights, encumbrances, ownership-transfer history, construction and acceptance documents, as well as debt, tax, utility, and safe notarial payment risks.
M&A and Transaction Support
When clean title, payment mechanics, and control over closing all matter in the deal.
M&A and Transaction Support
When clean title, payment mechanics, and control over closing all matter in the deal.
M&A and Transaction Support
Structuring transactions (including asset-backed M&A), developing secure payment mechanisms (escrow), and registering rights in the Cadastre.
Urban Planning and Permits
When the project is already constrained by certificates, permits, and municipal decisions.
Urban Planning and Permits
When the project is already constrained by certificates, permits, and municipal decisions.
Urban Planning and Permits
Accompanying land destination changes, obtaining urban certificates, and construction permits. Interaction with local authorities.
Leasing Contracts (Commercial Lease)
When the leasing model must protect money, timing, and the exit scenario.
Leasing Contracts (Commercial Lease)
When the leasing model must protect money, timing, and the exit scenario.
Leasing Contracts (Commercial Lease)
Drafting and negotiating complex lease agreements for shopping centers, office buildings, and logistics complexes. Balancing party interests.
Commissioning and Legalization
When the asset has to be brought to lawful commissioning instead of staying blocked.
Commissioning and Legalization
When the asset has to be brought to lawful commissioning instead of staying blocked.
Commissioning and Legalization
Legal assistance in the final acceptance procedure (Recepție la terminarea lucrărilor), legalizing redevelopments and unauthorized construction.
Construction and Land Litigation
When the dispute is already affecting the land, contractor, investor, or access to the site.
Construction and Land Litigation
When the dispute is already affecting the land, contractor, investor, or access to the site.
Construction and Land Litigation
Court defense in disputes over plot boundaries, termination of investment contracts, recovery of contracting debts, and challenging state agency refusals.
Examples from practice
Examples of how we protect our clients' assets and money in the Moldovan real estate market.
01Commissioning a Blocked Business Center
An entire commercial hub was barred from opening due to critically missing blueprint protocols from the previous administration.
Commissioning a Blocked Business Center
An entire commercial hub was barred from opening due to critically missing blueprint protocols from the previous administration.
What we did
We rebuilt the missing documentation, assembled the litigation position, and brought the asset to lawful launch.
Result:
Rights restored through strategic litigation. The 15,000 sq.m facility became fully operational legally.
02Land plot boundary dispute
A neighboring developer illegally erected a fence, seizing 15 ares of our client's land, blocking warehouse access.
Land plot boundary dispute
A neighboring developer illegally erected a fence, seizing 15 ares of our client's land, blocking warehouse access.
What we did
We documented the boundary violation, proved the damage, and pushed the dispute to an enforceable judgment.
Result:
We secured a court order to demolish the illegal fence and won significant compensation for the temporary inability to exploit the premises.
03Commissioning a problematic residential complex
The developer couldn't hand over the building due to a network contractor conflict and the Mayor's office refusing to sign the acceptance act.
Commissioning a problematic residential complex
The developer couldn't hand over the building due to a network contractor conflict and the Mayor's office refusing to sign the acceptance act.
What we did
We assembled the commissioning file, closed the contractor conflict, and turned the authority refusal into a workable court path.
Result:
Settled the dispute with the contractor, prepared missing documents, and forced the authorities via court to issue the final acceptance act (Recepție).
Our Execution Protocol
A land management or contract error can manifest years later. We prefer a systemic approach that eliminates future problems.
Property and document review
Property and document review
We check cadastral data, the seller’s rights, encumbrances, title history and construction documents.
Stage outcome:
- Title review
- Encumbrances
- Risk map
Negotiating the terms
Negotiating the terms
We prepare or review the agreement, allocate risk and coordinate the terms with the other party and the notary.
Stage outcome:
- Agreement
- Risk allocation
- Negotiation
Signing and payments
Signing and payments
We support the signing and check the safe transfer of funds and documents.
Stage outcome:
- Payment mechanics
- Document transfer
- Signing control
Registration and post-closing support
Registration and post-closing support
We monitor title registration and help resolve legal issues that arise after closing.
Stage outcome:
- Title registration
- Post-closing
- Issue resolution
Closing and Registration
Closing and Registration
Control of the signing process at the notary, ensuring fund transfer security, and finalizing the deed transfer in the registry.
Stage outcome:
- Notarial closing
- Secure settlement
- Title transfer
Post-closing operations
Post-closing operations
Further asset support: utility service contracts, managing tenant relations, and protection against external claims.
Stage outcome:
- Utility agreements
- Leasing
- Property support
The Colenco Legal team
Aureliu Colenco
Managing Partner
35 years’ experience • Investigator • Judge • Lawyer
Isae Cireș
Partner
Criminal defence • Court representation
Radu Cotorobai
Partner
M&A • Due diligence • Transaction structuring
Cristian Bizian
Partner
Family disputes • Negotiations • Litigation
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions worth discussing before a transaction or project starts.
When should a real estate lawyer be involved before the transaction rather than after signing?
Short answer
Whenever the asset matters to the business or there is even a small doubt about title, documents, land, permits, or future use. After signing, many risks are no longer manageable decision points but expensive problems.
Can a problematic property be legalized without stopping the project?
Short answer
In many cases yes, if the exact legal break is identified first: land, permits, technical documentation, acceptance, or the dispute with contractors and authorities. The right scenario is usually a sequence of legal steps rather than a single formal request.
What should be prepared for the first consultation on a property or project?
Short answer
Usually the property or land documents, the project and permit base, the structure of the deal or conflict, and a clear idea of the target outcome are enough: acquisition, protection, commissioning, recovery, or legalization. If the file is incomplete, work can still start from the current picture and the risk map can be built step by step.
Real estate and construction
Review the property before the transaction
Briefly describe the matter. We will suggest the next step.
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- Your enquiry is handled confidentially
- We will contact you during business hours at the number provided
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