Besiktningsklausul

What it means

A besiktningsklausul (inspection clause) is written into the purchase contract and gives you, the buyer, the right to undo the purchase after an inspection, as long as you act within a time limit you have both agreed on. It is your safety net: you get to look at the home properly before the deal becomes final.

There are two kinds. An open clause lets you cancel the purchase after the inspection without giving any reason. A limited clause lets you cancel only if certain conditions are met, for example that the inspection reveals specific faults or that the cost of fixing them is above a set amount. The open version is usually the safest for you, and it tends to lead to fewer disputes about what was actually agreed.

How much time you have

There is no fixed time limit set in law. You should get at least a couple of working days from the inspection to make up your mind, but it can be longer depending on the circumstances. The exact length comes down to what you write into the contract, so it is worth negotiating.

What you should do

Ask for an open and clearly worded clause, and make sure the time limit is long enough to book the inspection and think things through. Keep in mind that the clause is there to catch faults the inspection brings to light, not to back out of a purchase you have simply changed your mind about. Using it that way can be seen as going against the loyalty that you and the seller owe each other.