Guarantee on New Housing in Latvia

When you purchase an apartment in a new building, you enjoy the feeling of newness. The apartment finishing and entrance finishing smell of fresh paint, smell of newness.

Over time, some defects appear. Most often these are cracks, or windows that don't close and open properly. The question arises - what is the warranty period for construction work?

According to Latvian building standards, it is three years (from the day the building is put into operation). According to the Consumer Rights Law, it is two years.

But we immediately draw attention to the following nuance. If in 2022 you purchase an apartment in a building that was put into operation in the same year (in 2022), then your warranty runs until 2025. But if you purchase an apartment in a building that was handed over in 2019, then your warranty will soon expire! Usually, the warranty applies not from the moment of purchase, but from the moment the building is put into operation!

Additionally, we suggest familiarizing yourself with comments from one of Latvia's leading construction companies (BONAVA).

Most often, as the building settles and due to temperature fluctuations, microcracks appear. Next, the apartment owner should review the operating instructions. In such instructions, cases that are covered by warranty and those that are not will be described.

For example, misalignment of a plastic window is a warranty case. But a broken handle that was screwed in with three screws is not.

It is also important to treat laminate flooring carefully. Cracks or warping can appear due to heavy household appliances standing directly on the floor. Recent recommendations suggest cutting out the flooring in the kitchen area. This way, the laminate will not settle or squeak. Laminate is also sensitive to excess moisture. If water is spilled and not cleaned up, and the laminate swells, this will also not be repaired under warranty.

Another problem is when the temperature is set high (24 or 25 degrees), but the rooms are not ventilated. This causes moisture and condensation to accumulate, which negatively affects the wood (floors squeak, doors don't close properly).

If the case is covered by warranty, you should contact the management company. If the problem concerns the facade, engineering networks, or the territory, the management company will handle it.

If it concerns the apartment itself, the management company will then contact the builder and organize repair work. Certain elements (for example, elevators) have a five-year warranty. It is the management company that monitors the condition of the building and resolves all technical issues.

The management company should act as a professional intermediary between residents and the builder.

When the warranty period expires, some defects can be overlooked (for example, the aforementioned cracks). But more significant problems (pipe replacement, adjustment of gates for parking access) require money and attention. Therefore, it is best to choose an apartment in a building where money is deposited from the beginning into a future repair fund reserve. Subsequently, a residents' meeting can decide what work to fund from this reserve.

From our company's observations, if you choose an apartment from an experienced builder with a good reputation, defects are usually eliminated.

The most unpleasant issue we have encountered is improper waterproofing on balconies or terraces, which causes pieces of plaster to fall off. All other cases were minor.

If you are interested in a good apartment in a new building - contact us, and we will help you find one!

If you wish to purchase any good property, and individual approach is important to you, if you want to communicate with a real estate agent and lawyer in your native language, contact our company KOM-INVEST! We will be happy to find a suitable property, answer all your questions, point out important nuances, finalize the transaction, arrange a residence permit, and manage your property.