The City’s right of first refusal
The Ville de Montréal can make buildings subject to a right of first refusal (droit de préemption): for social housing, a park, a public facility or another municipal project. The notice is registered in the land register.
Before selling a building that is subject to it, the owner must notify the City of the intention to sell. The City then has 60 days to buy it itself at the price and on the terms of the accepted offer. During that time the sale to the buyer cannot close.
For a buyer this means a possible two-month wait and the risk that the City buys instead. On our pages it is a Serious finding. Talk to your broker and your notary before you make an offer.
General information, not legal or professional advice.
More terms
- Notice of deterioration
- Welcome tax (transfer duties)
- Assessment roll
- Building permits in Montréal
- Flood zones
- Contaminated sites
- Lead service lines
- Heritage: protected buildings and the inventory
- Condos: the documents to ask for
- Short-term rentals in Montréal
- The City’s plan for water mains and sewers
- Runoff basins: where rainwater pools in Montréal