{"id":11536,"date":"2026-08-14T11:53:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T09:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.athome.lu\/blog\/?p=11536"},"modified":"2026-08-14T15:22:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T13:22:08","slug":"tips-for-buying-in-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.athome.lu\/blog\/en\/acheter\/les-bons-conseils-pour-acheter-en-copropriete\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a flat: 8 things to check before signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buying a flat<\/strong> This means becoming the owner of your home, but also sharing certain expenses and decisions with the other co-owners. Before signing, check the service charges, any planned works, the maintenance fund and the estate\u2019s accounts. You should also consult the rules and regulations, the minutes of meetings and any documents relating to your unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the second quarter of 2026, the listed prices of second-hand flats fell by 1,4 %<\/strong> compared with the previous quarter. Prices for new flats rose by just 0,1 %<\/strong>. The market is therefore stabilising, but house prices should not be your only criterion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: atHome \u2013 The property market in Luxembourg: trends for Q2 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean to buy a flat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Buying a flat<\/strong> means purchasing a private unit whilst holding a share in the building\u2019s communal areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your flat generally constitutes the main private unit. Other units may be included, such as a cellar, a garage or a parking space. The vertical land register is used, in particular, to identify the various private units within a building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, you contribute to the shared expenses. How these are allocated depends, in particular, on thousandths<\/strong> allocated to the various blocks. The Ministry of Housing also states that contributions to the maintenance fund are apportioned according to these thousandths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, before buying a flat, you need to look beyond its four walls. The condition and management of the entire block are also important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What documents should you ask for before buying a flat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The documents relating to the co-ownership scheme help you to understand how it works and to plan for future expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you commit, ask to see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Document<\/th>Why check it?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Co-ownership regulations and founding deed<\/strong><\/td>To find out about the building\u2019s rules and the allocation of units.<\/td><\/tr>
Minutes of the most recent general meetings<\/strong><\/td>To identify projects that have been approved, are being considered or are under discussion.<\/td><\/tr>
Recent statements of expenditure<\/strong><\/td>To find out the actual costs associated with housing.<\/td><\/tr>
Condominium budget<\/strong><\/td>To understand the planned expenditure in the short term.<\/td><\/tr>
Status of the renovation fund<\/strong><\/td>To find out what reserves have already been set aside for the communal areas.<\/td><\/tr>
Energy Performance Certificate<\/strong><\/td>To assess the building\u2019s energy performance.<\/td><\/tr>
Vertical cadastral survey<\/strong><\/td>To identify precisely the flat, cellar, garage or other units being sold.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, you should look at several sets of minutes, not just those from the most recent general meeting. This will give you a better understanding of the recurring issues in the estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This check usefully complements the questions asked during the visit. You can also find our 10 questions<\/a> <\/a>questions to ask during a property viewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How should service charges be assessed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The service charges<\/strong> correspond to the expenditure required for the operation and maintenance of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These may include, for example, cleaning, electricity for communal areas or the upkeep of outdoor spaces. Depending on the block of flats, they may also include the lift, central heating or other services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A high price is therefore not necessarily a bad sign. It all depends on the services included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, very low service charges do not automatically mean that the block of flats is cost-effective. They may also reflect a lack of maintenance or significant deferred expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why not ask for the statements from the last few years? Then compare the amount with the services actually provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above all, make sure you factor these costs into your budget before buying. Your monthly mortgage repayment is only part of the cost of owning a home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To draw up your overall budget, please see our guide<\/a> when buying a property for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is it necessary to check the building works fund?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The construction fund<\/a> has been compulsory in Luxembourg co-ownership properties since 1 August 2023<\/strong>. It also applies to new buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its purpose is to gradually build up a reserve fund to finance work on the communal areas. It may be used for the maintenance, repairs or refurbishment of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minimum contribution depends, amongst other things, on the building\u2019s energy performance. Each unit\u2019s contribution is then allocated according to its share of the total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the Ministry of Housing estimates the contribution at around \u20ac30 to \u20ac40 a month<\/strong> for an 80 m\u00b2 flat with poor energy performance. This is an example only and does not represent an amount applicable to all co-ownership properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, before you buy, ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n