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As Is Sales Agreement Template for Germany

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What is a As Is Sales Agreement?

The As Is Sales Agreement under German law is utilized when selling assets, equipment, or property in their current condition without traditional warranties or guarantees beyond those mandated by law. This document type is particularly relevant for second-hand sales, asset disposals, or situations where the seller wishes to limit their liability regarding the asset's condition. The agreement must comply with German legal requirements, including specific provisions of the German Civil Code (BGB) regarding sales contracts, warranty disclaimers, and mandatory disclosures. While it limits seller liability, it cannot exclude certain mandatory warranties and must include specific consumer protection provisions when selling to non-business buyers. The document typically includes detailed descriptions of the asset's condition, known defects, and explicit acknowledgments from the buyer regarding their acceptance of the asset's current state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an As Is Sales Agreement legally binding under German law?

Yes, an As Is Sales Agreement is legally binding in Germany when it complies with the German Civil Code (BGB). The agreement must contain essential elements like identification of parties, description of the asset, purchase price, and clear 'as is' terms. However, certain warranty exclusions may be limited under BGB consumer protection provisions.

Can I completely exclude all warranties in an As Is Sales Agreement under German law?

No, German law under BGB §§ 442-444 limits warranty exclusions, especially for consumer sales. You cannot exclude liability for fraudulent concealment of defects or intentional misrepresentation. Consumer sales have additional protections under BGB §§ 474-479 that cannot be waived through 'as is' clauses.

How does an As Is Sales Agreement differ from a regular purchase agreement in Germany?

An As Is Sales Agreement explicitly limits the seller's liability for defects and condition issues beyond what's required by the BGB. Regular purchase agreements provide standard warranty protections under German law. The 'as is' agreement shifts more risk to the buyer but must still comply with mandatory German consumer protection laws.

How long does it take to prepare an As Is Sales Agreement in Germany?

Simple agreements can be prepared within 1-2 days using templates, while complex transactions may take 1-2 weeks. Real estate transactions require additional time for notarization appointments. The timeline depends on asset complexity, due diligence requirements, and whether legal review is needed for BGB compliance.

What happens if my As Is Sales Agreement is incomplete under German law?

An incomplete agreement may be unenforceable or subject to standard BGB warranty provisions filling the gaps. German courts may apply default contract terms from the Civil Code. Missing essential elements like price or asset description can void the entire agreement, leaving parties without legal protection.

Can I use an As Is Sales Agreement for consumer sales in Germany?

Yes, but with significant limitations under BGB §§ 474-479 consumer protection laws. Many 'as is' warranty exclusions are invalid when selling to consumers. Consumers retain rights to remedies for defects within two years, and sellers cannot exclude liability for defects existing at the time of sale.

Common mistakes when creating As Is Sales Agreement in Germany?

Major mistakes include using overly broad warranty exclusions that violate BGB consumer protection laws, failing to properly describe the asset's condition, not disclosing known defects (which constitutes fraud), and using template language from other jurisdictions that doesn't comply with German legal requirements. Always ensure BGB compliance.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A lawyer, legal researcher and legal tech founder, Swetha has built AI products deployed inside Tier 1 firms and enterprises. She ensures GenieAI's alignment with the latest regulation and executes testing on the legal robustness of Genie output.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A Skadden-trained M&A lawyer, Imad advised on cross-border transactions and contractual risk before moving into legal AI. He reviews GenieAI's output for compliance and enforceability across our 150+ supported jurisdictions, as well as facilitating external benchmarking.

Jurisdiction

Germany

Reviewed by

&

Publisher

GenieAI

Sector

Business

Cost

Free to use

Last updated

About the As Is Sales Agreement

An As Is Sales Agreement is a critical legal document that allows you to sell assets, equipment, or property in their current condition while limiting your warranty obligations under German law. This agreement provides essential protection for sellers by clearly establishing that the buyer accepts the asset in its present state, with all existing defects and conditions.

When do you need this document?

You need an As Is Sales Agreement when selling second-hand equipment, machinery, vehicles, or real estate where you want to limit your liability for defects. This document is particularly valuable for asset disposals by companies, auction sales, estate liquidations, and transactions involving older or damaged property. Manufacturing companies disposing of outdated equipment, asset management companies selling recovered assets, and equipment dealers handling used machinery frequently rely on these agreements to protect themselves from post-sale warranty claims.

Key legal considerations

Under German law, you cannot completely exclude all warranties, even with an "As Is" clause. The agreement must include detailed descriptions of the asset's condition and any known defects to satisfy your disclosure obligations under BGB § 311. Your liability exclusions must be clearly stated and cannot cover fraudulent concealment of defects under BGB § 444. When dealing with consumers, additional restrictions apply under BGB §§ 474-479, limiting your ability to exclude certain warranties. Standard business terms (AGB) regulations under BGB §§ 305-310 may affect the validity of broad liability exclusions, particularly in consumer contracts. For commercial transactions between merchants, the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB) provides more flexibility but still requires proper disclosure of known defects.

Legal requirements in Germany

German law requires that As Is Sales Agreements comply with specific provisions of the German Civil Code regarding sales contracts and warranty disclaimers. You must provide clear, prominent disclosure of the "As Is" nature of the sale and cannot use misleading language that might deceive buyers about the asset's condition. The agreement must specify the exact condition of the asset and any known defects to satisfy your pre-contractual disclosure duties. Consumer protection laws limit your ability to exclude warranties when selling to non-business buyers, and certain fundamental rights cannot be waived regardless of the agreement's terms. Commercial sales between merchants under the HGB allow broader warranty exclusions but still require good faith disclosure. Your agreement must be written in clear German language and avoid unfair terms that could be deemed invalid under AGB regulations.

GOVERNING LAW

Applicable law

This As Is Sales Agreement is drafted to comply with Germany law. Key legislation includes:









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