6 Steps to Fix a Condo Deed That Lists the Wrong Unit Number

Your Deed Says Unit 2. The Plans Say Unit 5. Now What?

Here's a situation most boards never see coming. Someone goes to sell, refinance, or pull a permit, and the paperwork doesn't line up. The deed says one unit number. The building plans say another.

Picture a building that's six units wide. On paper, Unit 2 is really supposed to be Unit 5. Unit 1 is really Unit 6. And so on down the line. Somewhere along the way, the developer and the building department numbered things in opposite directions.

So what does that mean for you? It means your mortgage may be recorded against the wrong unit. Same goes for other liens, like property taxes and assessments. You've been paying on your home, but on paper, you may be paying on your neighbor's.

It's not common. But it happens. And when it does, it usually affects every owner in the building, not just one.

How Does This Happen?

Short answer: the numbering got crossed at the very start.

The developer (called the "grantor," the party that originally sold the units) numbers the units one way in the governing documents and deeds. The building department's plans number them another way. Nobody catches it at the first closing. Then every sale, refinance, and tax bill after that builds on the same mistake.

By the time someone notices, it can be years later. And the fix touches a lot of people.

6 Steps to Fix a Deed and Unit Number Mismatch

One thing up front: this is attorney work. Every step below involves recorded legal documents. You'll want a real estate attorney leading the process from start to finish.

1. Amend the governing documents

Your governing documents are the foundation. If they show the wrong units, everything built on them is wrong too. So the first step is amending them to correctly show each unit and its title.

2. Issue a deed correction for each unit

This isn't one blanket fix. Every affected unit needs its own corrective deed. That's what puts the right owner on the right unit in the public record.

3. Work with each owner and the original grantor

The units were conveyed wrong from the start. So the original grantor needs to be part of the fix, and a corrective clarification has to be recorded for each unit. Every owner needs to be on board too. This is usually where things slow down. Owners sell and move. Developers close up shop. Tracking everyone down takes time.

4. Get lender and title consent

Lenders have a stake in this. Their loans are secured by a specific unit. And because the wrong title was issued, title insurance may come into play. Bring the lenders and the title company in early.

5. Clean up mortgages and other liens

Once the deeds are corrected, the liens need to follow. That means working with lenders,s so each mortgage points to the right unit. It also means clarifying other liens, like property taxes and assessments.

6. Update the city or county records

Last step: make sure the city or county has it right. That way property taxes and other charges go to the right unit and the right owner. Skip this, and the mismatch shows up again every tax cycle.

Questions Owners Ask

"Does this mean I don't actually own my unit?"

Not necessarily. In most cases, it means the paperwork is wrong. But it's something to fix, not something to ignore. Your attorney can tell you exactly where you stand.

"Can our board just fix this ourselves?"

No. Corrective deeds, amended governing documents, and lien updates are legal filings. You need an attorney.

"How long does this take?"

Honestly, a while. Think about it: a six-unit building means six corrective deeds, six sets of lender conversations, and six owners to coordinate. Plan for months, not weeks.

The Bottom Line

The fix is clear. It's just not quick.

If your deed and building plans don't match, don't wait for a sale or refinance to force the issue. Get an attorney involved early, keep your owners in the loop, and work through it one unit at a time. Everyone in the building wants the same thing here: the right home on the right paperwork.

At J2, we spend our days helping HOAs and condo boards make sense of their buildings. If you've got questions about your building, we're always happy to talk.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every situation is different. Talk to an attorney in your state before taking any action.