16/06/2026
🚨 IS YOUR 30SQM CONDO ACTUALLY 30SQM? Don’t let developers hide behind "As-Is, Where-Is"! 🏢💸
Have you ever moved into your dream condo only to find your furniture doesn't fit? You measured the walls and realized—wait, this isn't the 30sqm I paid for! 😱
When you confront the developer, they might tell you:
"Sorry, you bought it 'As-Is, Where-Is'!" 🤷♂️
"You signed a waiver for hidden defects!" 📝
"You should have checked the boundaries yourself!" 🧐
STOP RIGHT THERE. According to the law, they might be dead wrong. 🛑⚖️
Here is the deep dive into your rights as a buyer based on Philippine law and Supreme Court rulings:
📍 1. The "As-Is, Where-Is" Trap
Many developers use this clause as a "get out of jail free" card. However, the Supreme Court ruled in Poole-Blunden vs. Union Bank of the Philippines that this stipulation only covers physical features that are easily seen by an ordinary person. It does not cover technical details—like the exact square footage—that require specialized skills or tools to verify.
📍 2. Hidden Defects & Your Warranty
Under Article 1561 of the New Civil Code, a seller is responsible for "hidden defects" that make the property unfit for its intended use or diminish its value so much that you wouldn't have bought it (or would've paid less) if you knew the truth. A missing 20sqm is definitely a hidden defect!.
📍 3. The Developer’s Responsibility
As a developer, they are expected to know the actual floor area of the units they sell. They cannot claim ignorance to escape liability, especially since an ordinary buyer isn't expected to be an expert in land measurement.
📍 4. Common Areas Don't Count (Usually)
In some cases, banks or developers try to claim the advertised area includes "common areas". The courts have looked unfavorably on this when it leads to a significant discrepancy in the actual usable space of the unit sold.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
If you were promised 30sqm and got 25sqm, the developer is bound to warrant that area. You didn't just waive your rights to a huge chunk of your investment just because you signed a standard contract.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! ✊
Don't let "legalese" keep you from getting the space you paid for. If you’re facing a discrepancy, consult a legal professional—because "finders, keepers" is for playgrounds, not real estate.
📢 SHARE THIS with anyone who just bought a condo or is planning to move! Let’s make sure every homeowner gets every square meter they paid for! 🏠✨