The condominium charges statement when selling a unit
The owner asks the manager for a written statement with the charges in force on the unit, their nature, amounts and payment deadlines, as well as any arrears and their dates. Article 1424-A of the Civil Code provides for issue within a maximum of ten days of the request. [1]
It is important to request complete information. A receipt for the last service charge does not necessarily answer every question the buyer needs to clarify.
Is it mandatory in a sale
The law provides for the statement as a supporting document of the deed or authenticated private document of sale. It allows the buyer to expressly waive it at the deed, accepting responsibility for the seller's debts to the condominium. That waiver has consequences and should be understood before being accepted. [1]
When preparing the deal, request the document in advance and confirm with the responsible entity whether it needs updating close to the transfer.
Charges in force
Regular charge and frequency
Arrears
Outstanding amounts and due dates
Extraordinary charges
Approved instalments or payments
Deadlines
Obligations before and after the transfer
How to request it
Identify the owner, the unit and the purpose of the request. Ask for the legally required information and confirm receipt. Also indicate the intended date of the transaction to help coordination, without confusing that request with a change to the legal deadline.
Keep the statement in the property file and hand it to the professional preparing the deed. If there is any doubt about a figure, ask the manager to clarify before passing it on as resolved.
What to check in the document
| Information | Useful question |
|---|---|
| Unit and owner | Does the document correspond to the property under negotiation? |
| Charges in force | What is the regular charge and its frequency? |
| Arrears | Which amounts are outstanding and when did they fall due? |
| Extraordinary charges | Are there approved instalments or payments? |
| Deadlines | Which obligations fall due before and after the transfer? |
This reading should be accompanied by consulting the minutes and the relevant information about the building. The condition of the home and the financial position of the building are related parts of the decision.
Who pays the arrears and charges
Article 1424-A links responsibility for arrears to the moment they should have been settled, subject to the waiver mentioned above. It also provides that charges falling due after the transfer are the new owner's responsibility. Approved works with phased payments require a joint reading of the documents and legal framing. [1]
Do not decide based only on the date of the meeting or an informal remark about who “was going to pay”. Ask for the solution for the relevant amounts to be clarified while the deal is being prepared.
Approved works and future costs
Illustrative example: the last service charge is paid, but roof works have been approved with instalments that extend beyond the sale date. The buyer needs to know that decision and the payment schedule to assess the cost of the acquisition.
Ask for the relevant minutes, the approved budgets and an indication of the payments already made. Where responsibility raises doubts, refer it to the responsible professional before the CPCV or the transfer, depending on when it becomes known.
Questions the buyer should ask
Beyond the statement, ask about works under study, relevant maintenance, the budget and the condominium rules. Ask whether there are decisions yet to be carried out. The answers help you understand the building of which you will become an owner.
A low monthly charge may be pleasant in the immediate budget, but it should be read alongside the building's condition and needs. Compare the charge with the available information on maintenance and works.
Frequently asked questions
Does the statement mean there will never be extraordinary expenses
It is not a forecast of all future costs. Also consult the documentation of decisions and ask about the building's known needs.
Is a message saying there are no arrears enough
Ask for the document with the required content and hand it to whoever prepares the deed to confirm its adequacy.
Should I waive the statement to speed up the purchase
Before deciding, understand the responsibility you would assume. The convenience of the timetable does not clarify the value of any arrears.
What if the manager does not reply
Keep proof of the request and contact the management. Inform the entity preparing the deed so the appropriate steps can be assessed. Do not turn the absence of a reply into a confirmation that there are no charges.
Sources
Next step
If you are selling an apartment, talk to the Valle team about building the condominium information into the preparation of the sale and avoiding unresolved questions close to signing.
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