Estoppel Letters

The official statement that confirms a seller’s account is paid up before closing.

What It Means

An estoppel letter (or estoppel certificate) is an official document from the condo association confirming exactly what’s owed on a unit — current dues, any outstanding balances, and whether any special assessments are pending or approved. Florida law requires this before a condo sale can close.

The letter is typically requested by the closing attorney or title company once a contract is signed, has a fee attached, and is only valid for a set period (commonly 30 days) before it needs to be reissued.

Key Things to Know

The estoppel letter will reveal any pending special assessments or violations tied to the unit — review it carefully once it arrives.
It typically takes the association anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to issue, so it’s worth requesting early in the closing process.
There’s usually a fee for the letter, paid by either the buyer or seller depending on the contract terms.
If anything in the letter differs from what you were told earlier in the process, it’s worth raising with your agent or attorney immediately.

Why It Matters to Buyers

The estoppel letter is your last official confirmation before closing that you’re not inheriting unpaid dues or a surprise assessment — it’s worth reading closely, not just filing away.

Have Questions About Closing on a Condo?

Send me a quick note and I’ll help walk you through the estoppel and closing process.

← Back