The two documents to ask for
Under PD 957, a developer must register a subdivision or condominium project and obtain a license to sell before offering it for sale.
- Certificate of Registration: shows the project was registered with the housing regulator.
- License to Sell: authorizes the developer to offer and sell lots or units in that project.
Who regulates
Republic Act No. 11201 (2019) created the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which took over the regulatory functions that the HLURB used to perform. Older brochures and contracts may still mention HLURB.
How to check a project
- Ask the developer or the project's marketing office for the registration and license to sell numbers.
- Confirm with DHSUD that the numbers match the project name, the developer and the location.
- Check that the license is still valid and covers the phase or tower being sold.
- Compare what is advertised with what the license and approved plans cover.
For brokers
Marketing a project that has no license to sell exposes your clients to risk and can expose you to complaints. Keep copies of the project's registration documents in your file, and ask the developer for updated documents when a new phase launches.