Buying an apartment in the Dominican Republic: what to check

Why an apartment needs its own checks

When you buy an apartment, you acquire a private unit and a share of a complex that you do not control on your own: structure, roofs, pool, management, shared finances. A well-kept apartment can sit in a troubled building, and a sound title can relate to a different unit from the one you visited.

So the checks cover two levels: the unit and the condominium.

The points to check

In detail: the points most often missed

The title and the unit

Compare the unit's number, floor and location on the title with what you visited. Check whether the parking space and storage room are part of the title or assigned under the bylaws. For the background, see the condominium regime and the certificate of legal status.

The building permits

A building put up without a licence, or with floors added later, can affect every unit in it. See building permits.

The technical condition

In a coastal area, damp, corrosion and waterproofing deserve particular attention. An inspection by a licensed professional helps tell a cosmetic issue from a structural one.

The condominium's finances and rules

A paid-up certificate, the budget and recent minutes say a lot about how the building is managed. See fees and reserve fund and bylaws, administrator and owners' meeting.

If you are buying off-plan or during construction

The checks change in nature. It is advisable to review the title to the developer's land, the project's licences, how the regime will be set up, how the payment schedule relates to construction progress, and the guarantees in the contract. Your lawyer can advise you on the clauses.

Questions to ask the seller

• Can you give me a copy of the unit's title and a recent certificate of legal status?
• Can the management issue a paid-up certificate for the fees?
• Do you have the bylaws in force and the latest meeting minutes?
• Have you carried out works in the unit? With what approvals?
• Are you aware of any dispute or court case affecting the condominium?

Common pitfalls

• Checking the unit and forgetting the building, or the other way round.
• Accepting copies without checking them at the source.
• Signing a sale promise with a deposit before the essential checks.
• Finding out too late about a rental restriction or approved works.

Only a review of your specific file by licensed professionals can lead to a conclusion. Your lawyer can confirm the legal points.

Your checklist

Use our checklist before buying an apartment so you do not miss anything on the day of the visit or before signing.

How we can help

Our buyer's package combines the title verification, the permit check, the technical inspection and the condominium audit. You can also order just the condominium audit or the technical inspection.

Request a check.