The Philippine apartment decision guide
Practical, independent guidance for renting, buying, selling and living in apartments—without the sales pressure.
The front page
An occupancy permit is the Office of the Building Official's confirmation that a finished structure passed final inspection and may legally be occupied. Here's how it works, what it costs, and how buyers and…
A tax declaration is a tax record from the Assessor's Office; only a Registry of Deeds land title…
BIR zonal value sets the tax base for capital gains, DST, donor's and estate tax. Learn how to…
DHSUD stands for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. Learn its official mandate, vision, mission, and…
Browse with purpose
Follow the path that matches what you need to do next.
Budgets, deposits, leases, inspections, moving and renter safety.
15 published guides 02Due diligence, investment decisions, financing, taxes and ownership costs.
17 published guides 03Pricing, documents, taxes, brokers, marketing and closing a sale.
3 published guides 04City comparisons, neighborhoods, commute realities and cost of living.
3 published guides 05Utilities, furnishing, maintenance, security, pets and roommates.
1 published guide 06Tenant screening, rental pricing, lease management and property care.
42 published guidesSearch by real-life question
Apartment decisions rarely begin with a property type. They begin with a budget, a location, a document, a risk or a deadline.
The Apartments.ph standard
We are building an independent information resource around costs, documents, locations, risks and practical next steps—so readers can understand the decision before they contact a seller, broker, landlord or platform.
Start with the renter’s guide