Republic Act No.4728
Republic Act No.4728
4726
SECTION 1. The short title of this Act shall be “The Condominium Act”.
DEFINITION
Title to the common areas, including the land, or the appurtenant interests in such areas, may be
held by a corporation specially formed for the purpose in which the holders of separate interest
shall automatically be members or shareholders, to the exclusion of others, in proportion to the
appurtenant interest of their respective units in the common areas.
A unit means a part of the condominium project intended for any type of independent use or
ownership, including one or more rooms or spaces located in one or more floors (or part or parts
of floors) in a building or buildings and such accessories as may be appended thereto.
Filipino citizens and corporations can own condominiums. However, foreigners are restricted to
owning no more than 40% of the total and outstanding capital stock of a corporation. At least
60% should be Filipino-owned and controlled. In addition to that restriction, foreigners and
foreign corporations are, by law, prohibited to own land.
Filipino citizens and corporations can own condominium units. Likewise, foreigners are allowed
to purchase and acquire condominium units.
The boundary of the unit granted are the interior surfaces of the perimeter walls, floors, ceilings,
windows and doors thereof, unless the master deed or the declaration of restrictions prescribed
by the condominium corporation or the administration stipulate otherwise.
Areas that are not found inside the unit are excluded from the unit. According to the
Condominium Act, “bearing walls, columns, floors, roofs, foundations, and other common
structural elements (e.g., lobbies, stairways, hallways, and other common areas), elevator
equipment and shafts, central heating, central refrigeration, and central air-conditioning
equipment, reservoirs, tanks, pumps, and other central services and facilities, pipes, ducts, flutes,
chutes, conduits, wires, and other utility installations, wherever located.” An exception to the list
are those outlets that are located within the unit.
Common areas, which comprise of the entire project except all units separately granted or held or
reserved. Generally, titles to the common areas are held by a corporation formed for the
purpose. However, RA 4726 also states that the common areas are held in common by the
holders of units, in equal share for each unit.
What is my stake in a condominium?
As a unit owner, you are essentially a co-owner of the condominium, entitled to such privileges
and limited by such restrictions that may follow the title.
Yes. The condominium act states that “each condominium owner shall have the exclusive right
to mortgage, pledge, or encumber his condominium and to have the same appraised
independently of the other condominium owner is personal to him.”
Yes. When you sell your unit, however, you are not just selling the unit itself, you are also
selling your interest in the common areas as well as your membership and shareholdings in the
condominium corporation.
Generally, yes. However, if the master deed contains a requirement that the property should first
be offered to the other condominium owners within a reasonable time before offering it to third
parties, then it may not.
Another restriction is one that has been amended to the Corporation Code by Republic Act No.
7899, which states that, as an owner, you shall not sell, exchange, lease, or otherwise dispose of
the common areas of a condominium without the approval of the simple majority of the
registered owners, subject as well, to the approval of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory
Board (HLURB).
What will happen to a condominium investment after 50 years?
When a condominium project is fully turned over to the unit owners, it becomes just like a
corporation, and you become one of the owners of that corporation. This means that as a
condominium unit owner, you will have a “say” in the decision making as to what to do with the
whole building. If it has been decided that the property is going to be sold, you will get your
appropriate share of the proceeds of the sale.