Check Common Fees and Building Repairs Before Buying a Resale Condo

Confirm the unit’s charges

Ask the seller and building management for the fee rate, chargeable area, payment period, arrears and prepaid charges. Check parking and other separate fees. Arrange the relevant debt-free certificate needed for transfer. A clear account for the unit does not establish that the building has enough money for major repairs.

Check approved work and additional collections

Where available, review recent financial information, owners’ meeting decisions and repair plans. Focus on lifts, waterproofing, external walls, fire systems and water supply. Ask whether additional owner contributions have already been approved. A reserve balance may already be committed. Separate approved charges from estimates of work that has not been decided.

Agree who pays

Record responsibility and payment dates for known additional charges. Include any agreed allocation of prepaid common fees in the settlement. Two similarly priced units can carry different future obligations if one building has completed its major repairs and another has approved a new collection. If material information is missing, ask the seller to obtain it before deciding on a deposit.

For the next step, read: Resale Condo Checks Before a Deposit

Sources checked on 4 November 2026: Department of Lands condominium ownership and registration information

For focused next steps, read Check Your First New Condo Common-Fee Payment and Check a New Condo’s Initial Sinking-Fund Payment.