Selling your house, renting an apartment: How to secure lifelong right of residence or lease-back options
The decision has been made: Your home in Berlin or Brandenburg is to be sold in order to free up capital for retirement. But many owners hesitate because they fear losing their familiar surroundings or the uncertainty of the rental market. The good news is that selling your property does not necessarily mean you have to move out immediately. With clever contractual arrangements such as lifelong right of residence or lease-back options, you can safely combine capital release with continued living in your familiar surroundings.
Lifetime right of residence: security in the land register
One of the most stable forms of security is the right of residence entered in the land register (Section 1093 of the German Civil Code (BGB)). Here, you sell your property (often at a reduced price, as the value of the right of residence is deducted), but retain the right to live there for the rest of your life.
Advantage: You are protected against termination for personal use. Even if the house is sold again, your right of residence remains.
Financial freedom: You receive a large one-time payment from the proceeds of the sale without having to pack your bags. The money can be used for care, travel, or the family.
Sale and leaseback: Flexibility after the notary appointment
In the “sell and leaseback” model, ownership is transferred completely to the buyer, and a rental agreement is simultaneously concluded with the former owners. This is particularly attractive if you want to continue using the house for a few more years but already need the full liquidity of the market value.
Individual terms: You can agree on fixed terms (e.g., 5 or 10 years) or open-ended contracts with protection against termination.
Maintenance: As a rule, responsibility for major renovations to the roof or heating system is transferred to the new owner—an enormous emotional and financial relief in old age.
The buy-back option for the new apartment
A specialized aspect of the Berlin market is the negotiation of a buy-back option when purchasing a smaller apartment. Those who sell their house to a developer or investor can often negotiate preferential rental rights in one of the buyer’s new construction projects in return. This allows you to secure a modern, barrier-free apartment even before it appears on the open market.
What you need to bear in mind from a legal perspective
To ensure that the “sell your house, rent an apartment” model does not become a trap, it is crucial to pay attention to the legal details. Bear the following points in mind:
- Value guarantee clauses: How will rent payments develop in the future?
- Ancillary costs: Who bears which costs after the change of ownership?
- Deletion authorization: Under what conditions does a right of residence expire (e.g., in the event of a permanent move to a nursing home)?
Your partner for legally compliant real estate solutions
The combination of sale and right of residence is highly complex and requires trust. We bring sellers together with reputable investors and buyers who are interested in long-term, fair solutions. Our goal is for you to not only benefit financially, but also to continue to feel secure in your home.
Would you like to know whether a right of residence or a lease-back model is more advantageous for your situation in Berlin-Gatow or Kladow?
Let us discuss your wishes in a discreet consultation. We will develop an individual strategy for you that puts your security first.