MANILA, Philippines—The contract says you bought a 24-square-meter condominium unit. But when you receive the title, it says there you only got 23 sq m. What do you do then?

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board advises specific recourses for “shortchanged” buyers.

HLURB had earlier confirmed to Inquirer Property that there have been “many similar complaints” from condo unit owners, although the board did not indicate the actual number.

Mike Denava, legal officer of the HLURB, said discrepancies cannot be avoided, and if condo buyers encounter this problem, he or she should consider the following steps:

1 The unit owner may choose a refund of the excess payment or demand the developer to correct the size of the unit. If there’s no possibility to adjust the unit physically, then ask for the refund.

2 The owner should also review the master deed of restrictions. This deed stipulated the rights and obligations of both parties—developer and buyer—such as what belongs to the common area or up to what point belongs to the unit owner.

3 If it turns out that the measurement is short, follow suggestion No. 1. Denava explained that should a conflict arise between a developer choosing to refund the excess payment and a buyer demanding the unit be readjusted physically, the settlement of the case would take longer. “The HLURB, being the quasi-judicial agency, would have to decide on the issue,” he said.

4 The unit owner can file a complaint with the HLURB and the agency can conduct an ocular inspection upon the unit owner’s request. The HLURB’s authorized engineers (technical services unit) can then conduct actual measurements of the unit. Afterward, what is indicated in the title would be followed.

5 The standard way of measuring the unit is to measure from one face of the wall up to the other face of the wall, according to Section 6 of the Condominium Act or Republic Act 4726. This is unless otherwise expressly declared on the master deed of restrictions, said engineer Octavio Canta, head of HLURB technical services.

6 Can unit owners have an independent technical body measure the unit? Denava said the HLURB cannot assure owners that the findings of an independent body would be acceptable or conclusive for HLURB.

Buyers can get in touch with the HLURB for further questions or to lodge their complaints at 9273061 or at www.hlurb.gov.ph.