In Manalese v. Ferreras (Nov. 25, 2024, per J. Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Third Division, 5-0), the Supreme Court stressed the hornbook doctrine that buyers must examine very well the property, item, or goods being sold; the relevant deeds of sale; and the original record of the titles of the property they are buying.   Read the article…………………………….

IN May of this year, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 10173, or the Condominium Redevelopment Act, which amended the nearly 60-year-old Condominium Act, Republic Act 4726. As of now, the proposed law has not advanced toward its final passage in the Senate, but it should, as it will not only boost investment in the property sector, it will have a significantly positive impact on the safety and sustainability of communities.    Read the article…………………………….

Subdivisions in the Philippines are becoming an increasingly popular form of housing for many Filipinos, as they offer a sense of community, security, and amenities. However, it’s important to be aware of the rules and regulations that govern these communities, as they can vary from one subdivision to another.     Read the article………………………..

DR. Cielito F. Habito, Professor of Economics at Ateneo de Manila University, gives three reasons why the housing sector is important to the Philippine economy. First, housing is beneficial because it entails large numbers of construction workers.    Read the article………………………..

The essence of community life is association and cooperation for without these such broader welfare goals cannot be attained, according to the Supreme Court in Bel-Air Village Association Inc. v. Dionisio.      Read the article………………………..

Condo-living may be the closest you can get to achieving the live-work-play lifestyle, especially in Metro Manila. Condos have amenities at arms’ length, are situated in prime locations, and require less maintenance. It’s the kind of environment that attracts young professionals who are striving for independence while making a name for themselves, and are looking for versatile investments that provide value for money.   Read the entire article……………………………….

SUBDIVISION homeowners in Lapu-Lapu City denied allegations that they were bribing linemen of Mactan Electric Cooperative (Meco) to prioritize the restoration of electricity in their area.  Read the entire article……………………………….

Across the global media, stories about the Philippines typically revolve around its brutal drug war. So, if you’ve never visited the Philippines, you might be thinking, “why would I ever want a condo in Manila?”  While the country does have a bad reputation, Manila real estate is a rather sound investment. The Philippines is a beautiful country with a rich culture and heritage, and it’s one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies.    Read the article………………………………….

When you purchase a condominium, a townhouse, an apartment, or any kind of property in a planned development, you will have a big stake in maintaining and improving its surroundings. Of course, you will be sharing common areas like the swimming pool, parking lots, or even the subdivision gate with your co-owners and you will be obligated to join an organization to maintain its upkeep. Many first-time owners are not familiar to what this entails, so we will break it down for you. First, let us take a look at what homeowners association (HOA) and condominium corporations are all about.     Read the article…………..

Condominium unit owners are seeing more reasons to go green. Saving the environment is now recognized as a highly urgent matter.  The effects of neglecting Mother Nature can be felt around the world given abnormal weather patterns, deteriorating air quality, lack of food supply, and the eradication of small ecosystems which are vital to preserving the balance of life on Earth.    Read the article…………..

The growing need for residential space and the resulting lack of developable land in urban areas in the Philippines have led to condominium developments further becoming common in local real estate. If you are among the numerous first-time home-seekers who are considering to buy a condo unit, you likely have a number of questions regarding condo ownership. One of the most likely queries is: How does it work given that there are shared spaces in a condominium development, including the land on which the property stands on?   The quick answer is by way of a condo corporation where the members are yourself and the other separate unit owners. However, there is more to a condo corporation than being a ...

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), the government office that regulates land use, housing development and homeowners associations (HOA), recently issued guidelines on the dues, fees and contributions that HOA may collect from their members.  The collection of funds from residents of gated communities, housing subdivisions and residential condominiums is often a bone of contention between HOA officials and their members.    Read the article…………….

I’ve run into a few people recently who have asked me if people from Guam can buy a condo in the Philippines.  The answer is yes, Guamanians can buy condos in the Philippines because Philippine law allows for foreigners, or non-Filipino citizens, to own condominiums.   Read the article………….

Living in a condominium has become one of the top choices most people have. Who wouldn’t, when you got to live a satisfying lifestyle? Right? Renting or owning a condo unit can be one’s fulfillment of their dreams. After all, you can definitely enjoy the ammenities that are available for your use. However, for pet lovers, living in a condo might be challenging on their end, since not all condos are pet-friendly.  Read the article………….

MANY people living in subdivisions and villages are not aware that a law had been passed mandating the rules and regulations that have to be observed in so far as their right to organize in these subdivisions and villages is concerned.  This is where the Magna Carta of Homeowners and Homeowners Associations under Republic Act No. 9904 come in.

Inquirer Property recently received a letter from an owner of a high-end condominium unit in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, who wrote that more than 80 fellow residents and unit owners had asked the developer to fix the building’s numerous problems.    Read more………

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) was created to regulate subdivisions and their homeowners’ associations, and the Magna Carta for Homeowners defines the rights and duties of homeowners. The Magna Carta provides, among others, why and how association officers can be removed from office. But it emphasizes that there should always be “due process,” which is guaranteed by the Constitution.     Read more……..

QUESTION: Rltr. John, The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has just released Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 65-2012 which says association dues, membership fees, and other assessments/charges collected by condominium corporations are subject to VAT. Is the BIR correct? Who should pay the VAT?     Read more……

Looking for a condominium to purchase will take some time and effort. With the many condo projects existing, being built or at the pre-selling stages, the potential buyer has to be informed of his many options. The potential buyer has many sources of preliminary information for his condo selection process, such as billboards, newspaper and magazine ads and write ups, flyers and brochures, the internet, family, friends, associates, brokers and agents.    Read more…….