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Jurisdiction Over Complaints in Subdivision and Real Estate Disputes

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)—now part of the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC)—has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes related to subdivision and condominium projects. It regulates contracts between subdivision developers and lot buyers and enforces developer compliance with contractual and statutory obligations.

HLURB Jurisdiction in Real Estate Disputes

📌 Scope of HLURB's Jurisdiction ✔ Claims between subdivision developers and lot buyers. ✔ Cases involving compliance with development obligations. ✔ Disputes related to unsound real estate practices. ✔ Refund claims by subdivision lot or condo buyers. ✔ Actions for specific performance in contracts and statutory obligations.

📌 Relevant Case: Geronimo vs Calderon (G.R. No. 201781, 2014)

Jurisdictional Principles in HLURB Cases

📌 Jurisdiction Depends on Cause of Action ✔ HLURB jurisdiction is determined by the nature of the dispute, the property involved, and the parties. ✔ If a case involves a subdivision or condominium project, it falls under HLURB.

📌 Exclusive Authority of HLURB ✔ Executive Order (EO) No. 648 transferred the regulatory and quasi-judicial functions to HLURB. ✔ EO No. 90 (1986) renamed HLURB and defined its adjudicatory authority.

📌 Relevant Cases: ✔ Perfecto Velasquez, Jr. vs. Lisondra Land Inc. (G.R. No. 231290, 2020) ✔ Park Developers Inc. vs. Elizabeth Daclan (G.R. No. 211301, 2019)

Cases That HLURB Does Not Cover

📌 Civil Law and Tort Cases ✔ Claims not arising directly from contracts fall under regular courts, not HLURB. ✔ Relevant Case: INDOPHIL TEXTILE MILLS, INC. v. ADVIENTO (2014)

📌 Land Disputes Not Involving Subdivision/Condominium Projects ✔ HLURB jurisdiction applies only to real estate developments, not stand-alone land disputes.

📌 Cases Requiring Civil Law Expertise ✔ Complex land ownership cases unrelated to developer compliance belong in civil courts.

New Jurisdiction Under HSAC (RA 11201)

📌 Regional Adjudicators Have Exclusive Jurisdiction Over: ✔ Disputes in subdivisions, condominiums, memorial parks, and real estate developments. ✔ Intra-homeowners association disputes. ✔ Easements within subdivision projects. ✔ Annulment of mortgages violating real estate laws.

📌 Commission Proper Has Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction Over: ✔ Decisions of Regional Adjudicators. ✔ Appeals from planning and zoning bodies.

📌 Relevant Law: IRR of RA 11201

Legal Takeaways for Real Estate Litigation

✅ HLURB handles subdivision and condominium complaints – Buyer disputes and developer compliance issues fall under HLURB jurisdiction.

✅ Regular courts handle civil disputes and tort claims – If an issue is not related to developer obligations, it belongs in civil court.

✅ Jurisdiction depends on the nature of the dispute – Real estate development cases = HLURB; stand-alone land issues = regular courts.

✅ HSAC now oversees real estate disputes – Regional Adjudicators have original jurisdiction, while the Commission handles appeals.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court rulings and RA 11201 clarify HLURB's exclusive jurisdiction over subdivision and condominium-related complaints. Proper forum selection ensures efficient resolution of real estate disputes.

📌 For full Supreme Court decisions, check: .

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