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Art. 942
A. Organisation
I. Constituent parts
1. In general
1 The land register is kept as a record of property rights. 2 It consists of the main register, the plans, property directories, supporting documents and property descriptions appended to the main register, and the journal. 3 The land register may be kept on paper or electronically.661 4 Where the land register is kept electronically, legal effect attaches to such data as are properly stored in the system and legible in letters and figures or displayed on plans by means of the technical capabilities of the devices and equipment used by the land register.662 661 Inserted by Annex 1 of the FA of 19 Dec. 2003 on Electronic Signatures, in force since 1 Jan. 2005 (AS 20045085; BBl 20015679). 662 Inserted by Annex 1 of the FA of 19 Dec. 2003 on Electronic Signatures, in force since 1 Jan. 2005 (AS 20045085; BBl 20015679).
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Art. 943663
2. Registered data
a. Object
1 The following are recorded in the land register as immovable property: - 1.
- parcels of land and the buildings thereon;
- 2.
- distinct and permanent rights recorded in the land register;
- 3.
- mines;
- 4.
- co-ownership shares in immovable property.
2 The Federal Council issues detailed regulations governing the prerequisites for and method of registration of distinct and permanent rights, mines and co-ownership shares in immovable property.
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Art. 944
1 Immovable property which is not privately owned and is in public use will be recorded in the land register only if rights in rem attaching to such property are to be registered or if cantonal law provides for its registration. 2 If registered immovable property is transformed into property that is not subject to registration, it is deleted from the land register. 3 ...664 664Repealed by No I of the FA of 4 Oct. 1991 on the Partial Revision of the Civil Code (Immoveable Property Law) and the Code of Obligations (Sale of Immoveable Property), with effect from 1 Jan. 1994 (AS 1993 1404; BBl 1988 III 953).
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Art. 945
3. Registers
a. Main Register
1 Each item of immovable property has its own folio and number in the main register. 2 The procedure to be followed in the event of the division or consolidation of immovable property is determined by Federal Council ordinance.
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Art. 946
1 The following data is entered in separate sections on each folio: - 1.
- ownership;
- 2.
- the easements and real burdens established in favour of or encumbering the property;
- 3.
- the liens with which it is encumbered.
2 Accessories may be noted on the folio at the owner’s request and, once noted, may be deleted only with the consent of all such interested parties as are evident from the land register.
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Art. 947
1 Two or more parcels of land may be entered on one folio with the owner’s consent, regardless of whether they are contiguous. 2 The entries on such folio are valid for all the land in question with the exception of easements. 3 The owner may at any time request that entries for individual parcels of land be removed from a joint folio, all rights being reserved.
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Art. 948
d. Journal, supporting documents
1 Applications for entry in the land register are recorded without delay in the journal in chronological order indicating the applicant and the object of his or her request. 2 Supporting documents are duly classified and archived. 3 In cantons where the land registrar is authorised to draw up public deeds, the supporting documents may be replaced by an official record whose entries constitute public deeds.
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Art. 949
4. Implementing ordinances
a. In general
1 The Federal Council prescribes the land register forms, issues the necessary regulations and regulates at its discretion the keeping of auxiliary registers. 2 The cantons may establish special provisions governing the registration of rights in rem on land under cantonal law, but such provisions become valid only when approved by the Confederation.
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Art. 949a666
b. For electronic registers
1 A canton wishing to keep the land register electronically must obtain the approval of the Federal Department of Justice and Police. 2 The Federal Council regulates: - 1.
- the authorisation procedure;
- 2.
- the scope and technical details of the electronic land register, particularly the procedure by which entries become effective;
- 3.
- whether and on what conditions electronic communication with the land register is permissible;
- 4.
- whether and on what conditions the public will be given access to unrestricted data recorded in the main register;
- 5.
- data access, the logging of retrieval requests and conditions for the withdrawal of user entitlements in the event of abuse;
- 6.
- data protection;
- 7.
- long-term data security and data archiving.
3 The Federal Department of Justice and Police and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport define data models and standard interfaces for the land register and official land surveys. 666Inserted by No I of the FA of 4 Oct. 1991 on the Partial Revision of the Civil Code (Immovable Property Law) and of the Code of Obligations (Purchase of Land; AS 1993 1404; BBl 1988 III 953). Amended by No 1 of the FA of 19 Dec. 2003 on Electronic Signatures, in force since 1 Jan. 2005 (AS 20045085; BBl 20015679).
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Art. 949b667
4a. Personal identifier in the land register
1 The land register offices shall systematically use the OASI number to identify persons. 2 They shall only disclose the OASI number to other bodies and institutions that require the number in order to fulfil their statutory duties in connection with the land register and which are entitled to make systematic use of this number. 667 Inserted by No I 2 of the FA of 15 Dec. 2017 (Registration of Civil Status and Land Register), in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2018 4017; 2021 917; BBl 2014 3551).
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Art. 949c668
4b. National immovable property search
The Federal Council shall regulate the national search by the competent authorities for immovable properties in which a person identified by their OASI number holds rights.
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Art. 949d669
4c. Commissioning private individuals to use the electronic version of the land register
1 The cantons which maintain the land register electronically may commission private individuals to: - 1.
- ensure access to the data in the land register in the retrieval process;
- 2.
- ensure public access to the data of the main register which can be viewed without proof of interest;
- 3.
- to carry out electronic transactions with the land register office.
2 The commissioned individuals are subject to the oversight of the cantons and of the Confederation. 669 Inserted by No I 2 of the FA of 15 Dec. 2017 (Registration of Civil Status and Land Register), in force since 1 Jan. 2019 (AS 2018 4017; BBl 2014 3551).
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Art. 950670
5. Official cadastral survey
1 The entry for and description of each parcel of land in the register are based on the official cadastral survey, and in particular on a plan drawn for the land register. 2 The Geoinformation Act of 5 October 2007671 regulates the qualitative and technical requirements of the official cadastral survey.
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Art. 951
II. Keeping the register
1. Districts
a. Allocation to districts
1 For land register purposes the cantons are divided into districts. 2 Immovable property is entered in the register for the district in which it is situated.
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Art. 952
b. Land straddling more than one district
1 Immovable property that lies in more than one district is entered in the register of each district, with reference being made to the register of the other districts. 2 Entries which establish rights are to be made in the register of the district in which the largest part of the property is situated. 3 Entries in this land register will be notified by the registrar to the other land register offices.
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Art. 953
2. Land register offices
1 The cantons are responsible for setting up the land register offices, the demarcation of the districts, the appointment and remuneration of officials and supervision arrangements. 2 The regulations issued by the cantons, save for those concerning the appointment and remuneration of officials, are subject to approval by the Confederation.672 672Amended by No II 21 of the FA of 15 Dec. 1989 on the Approval of Cantonal Decrees by the Confederation, in force since 1 Feb. 1991 (AS 1991362; BBl 1988II 1333).
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Art. 954
1 The cantons may levy fees for entry in the land register and for the necessary surveys. 2 No charge may be made for entries relating to land improvements or to land exchanges for the purpose of agricultural consolidation.
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Art. 955
1 The cantons are liable for any damage arising from the maintenance of the land register. 2 They have a right of recourse against the land register officials and employees and against the immediate supervisory bodies if they are at fault. 3 They may require the officials and employees to provide security.
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Art. 956674
IV. Administrative supervision
1 The management of the land register offices is subject to the administrative supervision of the cantons. 2 The Confederation exercises the supervisory control. 674 Amended by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 956a675
V. Legal protection
1. Right of appeal
1 A ruling issued by the land register office may be contested before an authority designated by the canton; a ruling includes the unlawful refusal to carry out or delay in carrying out an official act. 2 The following persons are entitled to appeal: - 1.
- any person who suffers particular prejudice due to a ruling issued by the land register office and who has a legitimate interest in its revocation or amendment;
- 2.
- the cantonal administrative supervisory authority it has a right of appeal under cantonal law;
- 3.
- the federal supervisory authority.
3 No appeal may be brought against an entry, amendment or deletion of rights in rem or priority notices executed in the main register. 675 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 956b676
1 The period within which an appeal to the cantonal appellate authorities must be filed amounts to 30 days. 2 Where the land register office refuses to carry out or delays in carrying out a specific official act, however, an appeal may be filed at any time. 676 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 957677
677 Repealed by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), with effect from 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 958
B. Registration
I. Land register entries
1. Ownership and rights in rem
The following rights to immovable property are recorded in the land register: - 1.
- ownership;
- 2.
- easements and real burdens;
- 3.
- liens.
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Art. 959
2. Priority notices
a. Personal rights
1 Personal rights may be entered under priority notice in the land register where such notices are expressly provided for by law, as is the case for a right of pre-emption, right of repurchase, right of purchase, usufructuary lease and tenancy. 2 By virtue of being entered under priority notice, they may be invoked against any rights subsequently acquired.
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Art. 960
b. Restrictions on powers of disposal
1 Restrictions on powers of disposal may be entered under priority notice for individual parcels of land if they result from: - 1.
- an official order made to secure disputed or enforceable claims;
- 2.678
- a distraint order;
- 3.679
- a case in which entry under priority notice is envisaged by law, such as a remainderman’s expectancy.
2 On entry under priority notice, the restrictions on powers of disposal become effective against all subsequently acquired rights. 678Amended by Annex No 4 of the FA of 16 Dec. 1994, in force since 1 Jan. 1997 (AS 1995 1227; BBl 1991 III 1). 679 Amended by No I 4 of the Federal Act of 26 June 1998, in force since 1 Jan. 2000 (AS 1999 1118; BBl 1996 I 1).
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Art. 961
c. Provisional entries
1 Provisional entries may be made in the land register: - 1.
- in order to secure asserted rights in rem;
- 2.
- in the cases where the law permits the applicant to complete his or her application.
2 They are made either with the consent of all interested parties or by court order and the right, provided it is later confirmed, becomes effective in rem as of the date of the provisional entry. 3 The court rules on the application and, provided the applicant satisfies the court of his or her entitlement, approves the provisional entry, precisely specifying its nature, duration and effect and, where necessary, setting a time limit within which the applicant must bring an action to assert his or her rights.680 680 Amended by Annex 1 No II 3 of the Civil Procedure Code of 19 Dec. 2008, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 1739; BBl 2006 7221).
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Art. 961a681
d. Entry of subordinate rights
A priority notice in the land register does not preclude the registration of a right with a subordinate rank. 681Inserted by No I of the FA of 4 Oct. 1991 on the Partial Revision of the Civil Code (Immovable Property Law) and of the Code of Obligations (Purchase of Land), in force since 1 Jan. 1994 (AS 1993 1404; BBl 1988 III 953).
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Art. 962682
II. Noting
1. Restrictions under public law
1 The state authority or another public body must arrange for a public law restriction on ownership ordered in respect of a specific property that imposes a permanent restriction on use or power of disposal or duty relating to the property on the owner to be noted in the land register. 2 Where the restriction on ownership ceases to apply, the state authority or the other public body must arrange for the note to be deleted from the land register. If the state authority or the other public body fails to act, the land register may delete the note ex officio. 3 The Federal Council shall stipulate the areas of cantonal law in which restrictions on ownership must be noted in the land register. The cantons may provide for additional notes. They shall draw up a list of circumstances requiring a note, which must be passed on to the Confederation. 682 Amended by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 962a683
2. Of representatives
The following may be noted in the land register: - 1.
- the statutory representative at his or her request or at the request of the competent authority;
- 2.
- the estate administrator, the representative of the heirs, the official liquidator and the executors at their request or at the request of the heirs or the competent authority;
- 3.
- the representative of an owner, charge creditor or easement beneficiary whose whereabouts are unknown at his or her request or at the request of the court;
- 4.
- the representative of a legal entity or other rights holder in the absence of the required management body at his or her request or at the request of the court;
- 5.
- the administrator of a condominium association at his or her request or at the request of the condominium owners meeting or of the court.
683 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 963
III. Requirements for entry
1. Applications
a. For an entry
1 Entries in the land register are based on a written declaration by the owner of the immovable property to which the entry relates. 2 No declaration by the owner is required where the acquirer may rely on a provision of the law, a final court judgment or a document having effect equal to that of a court judgment. 3 The officials authorised to execute public deeds may be instructed by the cantons to notify the transactions certified by such deeds for entry in the land register.
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Art. 964
1 Amendment or deletion of an entry in the land register requires an declaration in writing by the person whose entitlement results from the entry. 2 Such application may be made by signing the journal.
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Art. 965
2. Authority
a. Valid proof of authority
1 A disposition in the land register, such as an entry, amendment or deletion, may be made only on the basis of documents establishing the right to make such disposition and its legal basis. 2 Authority to request a disposition is established by proof that the applicant is the person entitled by virtue of the entry in the land register or has been duly vested with a power of attorney by said person. 3 The legal basis for the requested disposition is established by proof that the formal requirements have been observed.
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Art. 966
b. Completion of application
1 Where the documentation required for a disposition in the land register is not forthcoming, the application is rejected. 2 However, provided the legal basis is established and the application lacks only certain documents, a provisional entry may be made with the owner’s consent or by court order.
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Art. 967
IV. Manner of entry
1. In general
1 The entries in the main register are made in the order in which applications are received or in which certifications and declarations are signed by the land registrar. 2 Interested parties will be provided on request with an extract of the entry. 3 The formal requirements for entries, deletions and extracts are regulated by the Federal Council.
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Art. 968
Easements are entered and deleted on the folios of both the dominant and servient properties.
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Art. 969
1 The registrar must notify interested parties of all dispositions in the land register made without their knowledge; he or she shall, in particular, notify any acquisition of ownership by a third party to parties with rights of pre-emption which are entered under priority notice in the land register or to parties with rights which exist by law and are evident from the land register.684 2 The time limit for challenging such dispositions begins on receipt of such notification. 684Amended by No I of the FA of 4 Oct. 1991 on the Partial Revision of the Civil Code (Immovable Property Law) and of the Code of Obligations (Purchase of Land), in force since 1 Jan. 1994 (AS 1993 1404; BBl 1988 III 953).
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Art. 970685
C. Public nature of land register
I. Information and right of consultation
1 Any person showing a legitimate interest is entitled to consult the land register or to be provided with an extract. 2 A person is entitled to obtain the following information from the main register without showing a legitimate interest: - 1.
- the name and description of the immovable property;
- 2.
- the name and identity of the owner;
- 3.
- the form of ownership and the date of acquisition.
3 The Federal Council shall specify other particulars of easements, real burdens and notices in the register which may be made public without the need to show a legitimate interest. It shall pay due regard to the protection of personal privacy. 4 An objection based on ignorance of a land register entry is inadmissible. 685 Amended by Annex No 1 of the FA of 19 Dec 2003 on Electronic Signatures, in force since 1 Jan. 2005 (AS 20045085; BBl 20015679).
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Art. 970a686
1 The cantons may provide that all acquisitions of immovable property be published. 2 They may not publish the consideration involved in a division of estate, an advance against a person’s share of an inheritance, a marital agreement or a liquidation of marital property. 686Inserted by No I of the FA of 4 Oct. 1991 on the Partial Revision of the Civil Code (Immovable Property Law) and of the Code of Obligations (Purchase of Land; AS 1993 1404; BBl 1988 III 953). Amended by Annex No 1 of the FA of 19 Dec. 2003 on Electronic Signatures, in force since 1 Jan. 2005 (AS 20045085; BBl 20015679).
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Art. 971
D. Effect
I. Need for an entry
1 Where the establishment of a right in rem is subject to entry in the land register, such right has effect in rem only if it has been entered. 2 Within the limits of such entry, the scope of a right may be established by supporting documents or in some other manner.
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Art. 972
II. Effect of entry
1. In general
1 Rights in rem are established and assigned their rank and date by virtue of being entered in the main register. 2 The entry has retroactive effect as of its recording in the journal, provided the supporting documents required by law are included with the application or, in the case of provisional entries, are submitted in good time. 3 In cantons where the registrar draws up public deeds by means of an entry in an official record of title, such a record constitutes entry in the journal.
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Art. 973
2. In relation to third parties acting in good faith
1 Any person who, relying in good faith on an entry in the land register, has acquired property or any other right in rem in reliance thereon, is protected in such acquisition. 2 This rule does not apply to boundaries of land in areas designated by the cantons as being in permanent danger of ground displacement.687 687Inserted by No I of the FA of 4 Oct. 1991 on the Partial Revision of the Civil Code (Immovable Property Law) and of the Code of Obligations (Purchase of Land), in force since 1 Jan. 1994 (AS 1993 1404; BBl 1988 III 953).
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Art. 974
3. In relation to third parties acting in bad faith
1 If the entry of a right in rem is unwarranted, a third party who is or ought to be aware thereof may not rely on the entry. 2 An entry is unwarranted if it is without legal basis or was made on the basis of an invalid transaction. 3 A person whose rights in rem are infringed by such an entry may invoke its defectiveness directly against the third party acting in bad faith.
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Art. 974a688
E. Deletion and amendment of entries
I. Revision
1. On the divisionof property
1 If a property is divided, the easements, priority notices and notes for each divided part must be revised. 2 The owner of the property being divided must advise the land register office which entries to delete and which to transfer to the divided parts. If this is not done, the application must be rejected. 3 Where an entry according to the supporting documents or the circumstances does not relate to a divided part, it must be deleted. The procedure is governed by the regulations on the deletion of an entry. 688 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 974b689
2. In the case of the consolidation of parcels of land
1 Two or more parcels of land belonging to one owner may only be consolidated if no mortgage rights or real burdens have to be transferred from the individual parcels to the consolidated property or if the creditor consents. 2 If easements, priority notices or notes encumbering the property must be recorded, they may be consolidated only if the beneficiaries consent or if their rights are not prejudiced due to the nature of the encumbrance. 3 If easements, priority notices or notes benefiting the property real estate must be recorded, they may only be consolidated if the owner of the servient property consents or if the encumbrance is not increased by consolidation. 4 The provisions on revision on the division of property apply by analogy. 689 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art.975
II. Unwarranted entries
1 Where an entry of a right in rem is unwarranted or a correct entry has been deleted or modified in an unwarranted manner, any person whose rights in rem are thereby infringed may bring an action for deletion or amendment of the entry. 2 Rights in rem acquired in good faith by third parties relying on the entry and claims for damages are reserved.
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Art. 976691
III. Simplified deletion
1. Clearly insignificant entries
The land register may delete an entry ex officio if the entry: - 1.
- is limited in time and has lost its legal significance as it has expired;
- 2.
- relates to a non-assignable or non-heritable right of a deceased person;
- 3.
- cannot affect the property due to the local situation;
- 4.
- relates to a property that no longer exists.
691 Amended by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 976a692
2. Other entries
a. In general
1 If an entry in all probability has no legal importance, in particular because according to the supporting documents or the circumstances it does not relate to the property, then any person encumbered may request its deletion. 2 If the land register office regards the request as justified, it shall inform the beneficiary that it will delete the entry unless he or she files an objection with land register office within 30 days. 692 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 976b693
1 If the beneficiary files an objection, the land register office shall reassess the request for deletion at the request of the encumbered person. 2 If the land register office concludes that the request should be granted despite the objection, it shall notify the beneficiary that it will delete the entry from the main register unless the beneficiary brings a court action to declare that the entry is of legal significance. 693 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 976c694
3. Public revision procedure
1 If conditions have changed in fact or law in a specific area and as a result a large number of easements, priority notices or notes have completely or largely lapsed or if the situation can no longer be determined, the authority designated by the canton may order a revision in this area. 2 This order must be noted in the corresponding land register folios. 3 The cantons shall regulate the details and the procedure. They may further simplify the revision procedure or issue regulations that deviate from federal law. 694 Inserted by No I 1 of the FA of 11 Dec. 2009 (Register Mortgage Certificates and other amendments to Property Law), in force since 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 4637; BBl 2007 5283).
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Art. 977
1 Unless the interested parties consent in writing, the land registrar may correct the register only in accordance with a court order. 2 Instead of correcting an unwarranted entry, the registrar may delete it and make a new one. 3 The land registrar may correct typographical errors of his or her own accord in accordance with regulations to be issued by the Federal Council.
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