INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE & INVESTMENTS
Lawyers in international real estate and investments
The property is local. Its owner's strategy is not.
Buying a flat in Dubai, keeping a property in France after moving abroad or investing in Canada do not raise the same questions.
But in all three cases, the property sits within an international situation: the owner's tax residency, ownership, financing, rental income, resale and succession. Expats Law Firm supports expatriates, entrepreneurs and investors on the legal and tax aspects of their international real estate investments.
DUBAI & RAS AL KHAIMAH
Investing in the United Arab Emirates
Our practice covers, in particular:
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acquisitions in freehold areas;
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structuring ownership;
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personal acquisition or acquisition through a company;
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SPA review;
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Form F for the relevant transactions;
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contractual documentation;
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transactions with developers;
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Dubai Land Department;
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RERA issues;
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financing;
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real estate Golden Visa for investors who meet the conditions;
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resale;
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contractual difficulties and disputes within our practice.
Our role as lawyers is distinct from that of the broker, the developer or the bank.
FRANCE
Keeping or buying a property in France while living abroad
For a non-resident, French real estate can raise questions about:
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rental income;
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non-resident taxation;
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capital gains;
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financing;
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direct ownership;
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SCI;
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the structure's tax regime;
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transfer of assets;
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succession.
An SCI is not automatically the right answer. Its value depends on the project, the family, the financing, the tax position and the holding period.
CANADA & QUEBEC
Real estate investment and Canadian non-residency
Our practice may cover, in particular:
acquisition
ownership structure
taxation of rental income
withholding applicable to non-residents
NR6 form
section 216 return
resale
tax
dealings with the CRA (ARC)
matters falling under Revenu Québec.
The NR6 can, under the applicable conditions and once accepted by the CRA (ARC), allow withholding on certain rental income to be calculated on a net basis rather than on the gross amount.
OWNERSHIP
Personally or through a company?
The answer depends on:
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the use of the property;
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the owner's residence;
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the jurisdiction;
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the number of investors;
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the financing;
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tax;
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resale;
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transfer of assets.
A structure should not be chosen simply because it is technically available.
FINANCING
The financing itself can become international
An acquisition may involve:
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bank financing;
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mortgage;
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guarantees;
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funds from another country;
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shareholder loan;
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company financing;
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bank documentation.
These flows must be understood before the transaction is completed.
REAL ESTATE DISPUTES
When the investment does not go as planned
Delays. Disputed payments. Missing documentation. Developer promises. Financing. Termination.
We handle the contractual and legal aspects within our practice and arrange local representation when it must be provided separately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
