English Glossary

Acompte: The down payment or deposit paid during the Compromis de Vente. Usually held in escrow by the Notary.
Acte Authentique: The final, definitive sale deed signed before a Notary that officially transfers ownership.
Adoul: A traditional Moroccan legal/religious document professional. Involved in some property or inheritance contexts; not a substitute for notarial due diligence for foreign buyers.
Agence Urbaine (Urban Agency): The planning authority for zoning, building permissions, land use, and development controls.
Agricultural Land: Land classified for farming. Foreigners face significant restrictions; purchase often requires a VNA (see below).
Amendis / Lydec / RADEEMA: Regional utility providers (water/electricity).
Autorisation de Construire: Building permit. Essential before starting any construction or major renovation.
AVNA (Attestation de Vocation Non-Agricole): A certificate confirming land is for non-agricultural use. Required for foreigners to own certain land.

Bhou: A traditional open-sided arched alcove facing a Riad’s central courtyard.
Bornage: The official survey and boundary marking process to define the limits of a plot.

Certificat de Propriété: Ownership certificate confirming registered title details. Buyers should request a fresh version via their Notary.
Compromis de Vente: A legally binding preliminary sale agreement setting price, deposit, and conditions.
Concierge / Gardien: A building caretaker or security guard, common in apartment blocks and gated communities.
Conservation Foncière: The Moroccan Land Registry authority for all registered property titles.
Corniche: A coastal promenade or seafront road.
CRI (Centre Régional d’Investissement): The Regional Investment Center, vital for foreign investors opening guesthouses or commercial projects.

Dar: A traditional Moroccan house, typically smaller and without the large gardens found in a Riad.
Douar: A rural village or settlement. Titles here often require extra scrutiny.
Douiria: A smaller secondary house or apartment wing, often attached to a larger Riad.

Frais d’Agence: Real estate agency commission. Always confirm in writing who pays (buyer, seller, or both).
Frais de Notaire: Notary and closing costs (taxes, registration fees, and professional fees).

Gueliz: The modern, central commercial district of Marrakech, built during the French Protectorate.

Habous Property: Land or buildings owned by a religious endowment. Requires specialized legal review.
Hivernage: An upscale district in Marrakech known for luxury villas and high-end hotels.
Hypothèque: A mortgage or registered debt secured against the property.

Indivision: Shared ownership (common in inheritance). All owners must agree and sign for a sale to be valid.

Main Levée: A legal release document confirming a mortgage or debt on a property has been paid off.
Maison d’Hôtes: A licensed guesthouse. Requires specific municipal permits to operate legally.
Majorelle: A famous Marrakech neighborhood near the Jardin Majorelle.
Mandat: A legal authorization (Mandate) giving an agent the right to market or sell a property.
Medina: The historic, walled old city.
Melkia: Traditional, non-registered title based on Adoul testimony. Higher risk for foreign buyers.
Mellah: The historic Jewish quarter, usually located within the Medina.
Menzeh: An elevated seating area or small room with a view, often found in Riads.

Noir: (Slang) Illegal "under-the-table" cash payments sometimes requested by sellers to lower tax exposure. Highly discouraged for foreign buyers.
Notaire: A Moroccan Notary. They are government-appointed legal professionals who handle the funds, taxes, and legal transfer of property.

Palmeraie: The historic palm grove area of a city (notably Marrakech), famous for luxury estates.
Permis d’Habiter: An occupancy permit issued after construction is completed and inspected.
Plan Cadastral: The official government map showing property boundaries.
Power of Attorney (Procuration): A legal document allowing another person to sign the deed on your behalf.

Quartier: Neighborhood or district.
Quote-part: An owner's specific share of common areas or maintenance fees in a co-owned building.

R+1 / R+2 / R+3: Shorthand for building height (Ground floor + number of levels).
Réquisition / En cours de réquisition: The process of converting Melkia land into a Titre Foncier. Not yet fully registered.
Résidence Fermée: A gated community with shared security and amenities.
Rez-de-Chaussée (RDC): The ground floor.
Riad: A traditional house built around a central garden or courtyard.
Right of Way: A legal easement allowing access across a piece of land.

Salon Marocain: A traditional living room featuring bench seating (Sdari) along the perimeter.
Servitude: A legal right or restriction on a property (e.g., utility access or height limits).
Souk: A traditional market.
Syndic: The homeowners' association or building management company.

Tadelakt: A traditional Moroccan lime-based waterproof plaster used for walls, baths, and sinks.
Taxe d’Habitation: The annual residential tax for occupants.
Terrain Non Titré: Land without a registered Titre Foncier (High risk).
Terrain Titré: Land with a verified, registered title at the Land Registry.
Terrasse sur le Toit: Rooftop terrace.
Titre Foncier: The definitive, registered land title. The safest form of ownership in Morocco.
Titre Mère: The "Parent Title" for a large plot before it is subdivided into smaller units.
TPI (Taxe sur les Profits Immobiliers): Capital gains tax paid by the seller upon the sale of a property.

VEFA (Vente en l'État Futur d'Achèvement): Buying property "off-plan" before it is built.
Ville Nouvelle: The "New City" (modern districts) built outside the historic Medina walls.
Vocation Non-Agricole (VNA): A critical status for rural land. It can be Provisional (allowing you to buy) or Definitive (granted after the project is built).

Zellige: Traditional Moroccan hand-cut mosaic tilework.
Zone Villa: A zoning designation that restricts construction to single-family detached homes.