Buying an Apartment 2026: Checking Debts

The Major Shift in 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, significant changes to the Law on Apartment Property will take effect in Latvia, fundamentally altering the real estate market. The core principle introduced is: "the debt follows the apartment".

From 2026 onwards, the buyer of an apartment will be held responsible for the seller's debts incurred over the previous three years. If you do not perform due diligence, you may inherit:

These amendments aim to protect the community of owners and service providers from non-paying individuals whose debts often disrupted services like heating for the entire building.

The Hidden Traps: Forgery and Verification

In 2026, discovering the true status of a property's debt will be challenging. Current debt certificates provided by management companies (like RNP) are often not official electronic documents, making them easy to forge. Experts suggest that buyers should obtain a power of attorney from the seller to verify debt information directly with service providers.

New Projects and Technical Warranties

When purchasing in a new development, the warranty period is crucial and begins from the date the building is commissioned:

Common issues in new builds include poor sound insulation, ventilation problems leading to mold, and low-quality materials. It is vital that the purchase agreement clearly defines the procedure for fixing defects during the warranty period.

Safe Purchase Checklist

For a professional consultation, call +371 20098880 or email us at info@eri.lv!

A Helpful Analogy: Buying an apartment after 2026 without checking for debts is like buying a used car where the previous owner's unpaid speeding tickets and parking fines automatically transfer to your name—the car is yours, but you are stuck paying for someone else's reckless driving.