The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has the public anew against agents offering housing projects without Licenses to Sell (LS) and Certificates of Registration (CR) amid the rampant posting on social media.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said entertaining those offers would only put the interested buyers to falling prey to unscrupulous individuals or groups and acquiring sub-standard real estate properties.
“Real estate projects without LS-CR are prone to risks which include undersized lots, low quality units, issues in land titling, and limited access to basic utilities and services. We encourage home buyers to be vigilant, and demand for these documents (LS and CR) before letting go of their hard-earned money,” said Acuzar.
Acuzar issued the warning amid the rampant real estate advertisements posted on social media, which has become the most convenient platform for non-compliant developers to pull off their illegal activities and victimized unsuspecting buyers.
Acuzar stressed that real estate developers must secure LS and CR from DHSUD prior to the selling of real estate projects to ensure that it passed the minimum standards as required by the law.
He said the DHSUD, through its Public Assistance Service (PAS), has been pro-actively reminding the public against scammers in the real estate industry through social media posts and media releases. In fact, it has crafted its DREAM Tips – an easy to remember acronym on what to do when buying real estate property.
DREAM stands for Demand, Read, Engage, Ask and Move.
According to DHSUD-Housing and Real Estate Development Bureau, real estate projects that require LS/CR from DHSUD include subdivision lots, house and lot, condominium units, socialized housing and town houses.
“These documents are required before selling of units is allowed,” said Acuzar.
Selling of memorial lots, colombarium, farm lot subdivision, commercial subdivision and industrial subdivision is also being regulated by DHSUD under other types of real estate projects.
Under PD 957, selling without LS/CR is punishable with stiff administrative fines and is considered a penal offense subject to the filing of appropriate criminal charges.