Caribbean coastline at sunset with villas among palm trees

Riviera Maya · Quintana Roo

Riviera Audit/Tools/Contract Clause Analyzer

Legal Intelligence

Pre-Sale Contract Clause Analyzer

Mexican developer contracts are structured to favor the developer. This checklist covers every clause that matters -- what to insist on, what to negotiate, and what signals a fraudulent or high-risk contract. Use it before signing anything.

Checklist Progress

0/13

Clauses reviewed

0/7

Essential clauses confirmed

REVIEW

Contract status

Contract Clause Checklist

Escrow and Payment

Third-party escrow requirementESSENTIAL

Does the contract specify the exact bank, account number, and escrow agreement terms?

Milestone-based fund releaseESSENTIAL

Are the release milestones specific, verifiable, and tied to independent inspection?

Full refund on developer failure to deliverESSENTIAL

What exactly triggers a refund and what is the timeline?

Delivery Terms

Specific delivery dateESSENTIAL

What is the specific delivery date and what is the defined grace period?

Delay penalties payable to buyerNEGOTIATE

Is there any financial consequence to the developer for late delivery?

Force majeure definitionNEGOTIATE

What events specifically constitute force majeure and for how long can they extend delivery?

Property Specifications

Exact unit specificationsESSENTIAL

Is the exact square meter measurement, floor plan, and finish specification contractually committed?

Common area specificationsIMPORTANT

Are the amenities that influenced your purchase decision in the contract or only in marketing materials?

Title and Ownership

Clear title commitmentESSENTIAL

Does the developer explicitly warrant clean title in the contract?

Fideicomiso establishment timelineESSENTIAL

Which bank is the proposed fideicomiso trustee and can you choose an alternative?

Pre-registration of rights (inscripcion preventiva)IMPORTANT

Will your purchase rights be registered at the public registry before delivery?

Legal Jurisdiction and Dispute

Jurisdiction clauseREVIEW

In which court and which state are disputes resolved?

Arbitration clauseREVIEW

Is arbitration mandatory and who selects the arbitrator?

Legal Notice

This checklist does not replace independent legal counsel

Engage a Mexican real estate attorney independent of the developer before signing any purchase agreement. Attorney fees for contract review typically run $500-1,500 USD -- negligible relative to the transaction size and the risk of an unfavorable contract. Riviera Audit can connect you with vetted attorneys in the corridor.

Infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean at sunset

The Riviera Maya, measured.