Real Estate and Leases
Support for owners, landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers and investors in purchases, sales and other property transactions, in entering into, performing and terminating residential and non-residential leases, including eviction proceedings, in short-term rentals (alojamento local) and in construction contracts.
Matters the office handles
Property purchases and sales
Promissory contracts, deeds and prior checks on the property's land registry, tax and planning status.
Residential leases
Drafting of leases, rent updates, works, non-renewal and termination notices.
Non-residential (commercial) leases
Shops, offices and warehouses, transfer of business and assignment of the lease.
Evictions and rent arrears
Special Eviction Procedure, eviction actions and recovery of unpaid rent.
Condominiums
Owners' meetings, condominium rules, common areas and works.
Real estate investment
Legal due diligence on properties, licensing and short-term rental (alojamento local).
Owners and landlords, tenants, home buyers, investors and companies that buy or lease property.
Handled by the lawyers of ME&JBA
Each matter is personally handled by a lawyer of the office assigned to it, from the initial analysis of the facts and documents to its conclusion. Before work begins, the client is informed of the scope of the work, the expected steps and the criteria for setting fees.
Common questions on Real Estate and Leases
Must a lease be in writing?
Yes. Article 1069 of the Civil Code requires urban leases to be made in writing. The contract must identify, among other things, the parties, the property, the rent and the term, and the landlord must report it to the Tax Authority.
What is the minimum term of a residential lease?
For fixed-term leases, the term generally cannot be shorter than one year or longer than thirty years (Article 1095 of the Civil Code). Exceptions apply to leases for non-permanent housing or special temporary purposes, such as work, education or tourism.
What is the Special Eviction Procedure?
It is a mechanism under the New Urban Lease Regime (Law no. 6/2006) to recover possession of a property when the lease has ended and the tenant does not leave, for example for non-payment of rent. It is handled by the Tenant and Landlord Office (Balcão do Arrendatário e do Senhorio) and moves to court if the tenant files an objection.
General information, based on the legislation in force on 17.10.2026. Its application to a specific situation depends on the facts and requires its own legal analysis.