In June, the apartment looks almost faultless: warm light comes through the windows, leafy trees frame the balcony and thick walls seem reassuring. Only in December do you discover that the corner room cools faster, the window is wet each morning, the bathroom ventilation barely moves any air and refurbishment instalments come on top of the management bill. The first winter often reveals something that went unchecked in summer, rather than a newly developed defect.
Before buying, look beyond the apartment's finishes. You also become a part-owner of the building and its shared systems, with responsibilities for collective decisions and future costs. Our article on what comes with an apartment explains that ownership in more detail. Here, the focus is on how it will perform in winter.
Energy rating, bills and comfort tell you different things
A building energy performance certificate is a standardised technical assessment. You can check its authenticity and registration in the certificate register maintained by Lithuania's Construction Sector Development Agency (SSVA). The rating letter is neither a record of the previous occupant's bills nor a guarantee of what you will pay.
| Evidence | What it helps establish | What it cannot establish alone |
|---|---|---|
| Energy performance certificate | Energy characteristics of the building or part of it under the assessment method | A household's chosen temperature, habits or future energy price |
| Heating bills | Actual costs and consumption in particular months | Whether the winter was cold or occupants saved money by accepting less comfort |
| Inspection and measurements | Differences in surface temperature, draughts and signs of damp | The long-term history or condition of concealed structures |
Two equally sized apartments in the same building can perform differently. A corner apartment, one above an unheated basement or one under the roof has more exposure to cold surfaces than an apartment surrounded by other homes. Indoor temperature, window opening, radiator settings and the number of occupants also differ. Compare energy used, tariffs and heating days, not just the final euro amount.
A winter viewing: what can windows, radiators and cold corners reveal?
Take your time when viewing on a cold day. Feel the floor beside an external wall, compare rooms and inspect window reveals, ceiling corners and areas behind wardrobes. Ask whether radiators heat evenly, whether the system has been balanced and whether the apartment has individual metering. A thermometer or humidity meter provides a snapshot; a thermal imaging survey is useful only in suitable conditions and when a competent specialist interprets the results.
A freshly painted corner, a strong smell or furniture pulled away from a wall proves nothing by itself, but gives you a reason to ask questions. If concerned, arrange a technical inspection before committing to buy. In a later dispute, what was disclosed and recorded will matter. Our guide to hidden property defects discovered after purchase sets out the next steps.
Ventilation and damp: airtightness alone is not a solution
People open windows less in winter, making poor air exchange more noticeable. Check that ventilation grilles are unobstructed, fresh air has a way in, and the bathroom and kitchen have effective ventilation. Lithuania's National Public Health Centre (NVSC) recommends regular, thorough airing; its ventilation guidance explains the practical principles.
Condensation forms when moist air meets a sufficiently cold surface. The cause may therefore be a thermal bridge, high indoor humidity, inadequate ventilation or a combination of these. Replacing windows or leaving them permanently ajar is not a universal remedy. A mouldy smell and recurring marks call for identifying the cause, rather than painting over it.
Refurbishment: future benefits, instalments and project risks
Building refurbishment is a practical consideration. In June 2026, Lithuania's Ministry of Environment announced that the Social Climate Plan allocated more than €422 million to housing affordability, including almost €270 million for full and partial apartment-building refurbishment, with plans to improve more than 37,000 apartments. These national plans make it worth investigating whether work on your building could affect running costs and resale appeal; they do not establish that a particular building will receive funding. The figures come from the Ministry of Environment announcement.
Lithuania's Environmental Projects Management Agency (APVA) explains that refurbishment projects can be initiated through an owners' association chair, a building manager or a municipality-led arrangement. “The building is going to be renovated” does not tell you whether there is only an idea or an approved investment plan and financing. Compare the stage described in APVA's programme information with the building's own documents. Advertised energy savings are not guaranteed: measures chosen, workmanship, system adjustment, weather, tariffs and behaviour all affect the result.
Request these winter records before reserving the apartment
- Bills for the last two heating seasons, including consumption and tariffs.
- The energy performance certificate number and registration details.
- A statement from the building manager or owners' association showing arrears and current charges.
- The reserve contribution rate, the building's accumulated balance and an explanation of how funds have been used.
- The long-term plan, annual work plan and latest owners' meeting records.
- The refurbishment investment plan, decisions, outstanding loan balance and instalment allocated to the apartment.
- Information about emergencies and work on the roof, façade, pipes, heating substation and lift.
- Written answers to questions about damp, mould, heating and ventilation.
Lithuania's Civil Code links co-owners' responsibility for common-property upkeep and reserve contributions to their ownership. A low management fee therefore does not mean that the building has enough funds for major repairs. The current legislation is available through the Lithuanian Parliament's e-Seimas system. Before the notarial sale, document the remaining payments, debts and each party's responsibilities. Our property transaction documents checklist can help.
After the viewing: what remains unresolved before you commit?
Keep bills, records of completed work, viewing photographs and the seller's answers together. For each unresolved question, note what evidence is missing, who will provide it and by when. Heating bills help you plan spending, but a specialist may need to establish the cause of damp or the scope of repairs.
If the evidence is incomplete, request another inspection or assessment before reserving the apartment. Decide whether to buy with both expected monthly costs and outstanding work in view. When buying in summer, use the records to understand winter conditions: a beautiful view remains an advantage, but does not tell you what heating the home will cost in January.
Frequently asked questions
Does the energy rating tell me what my heating bills will be?
No. It describes the energy performance of the building or part of it under a defined assessment method. Bills also depend on outdoor temperatures, energy prices, the apartment's position, indoor temperature, ventilation, metering and occupants' habits. Read the certificate alongside actual bills from several heating seasons.
How many heating bills should I request before buying?
Ask for monthly bills covering at least one full heating season, preferably two. Look at energy consumption, floor area, the tariff and hot-water charges as well as the euro amount, and find out what indoor temperature the occupants maintained.
Does window condensation mean there is a construction defect?
Not necessarily. It can result from high indoor humidity, poor air exchange, a covered radiator, a colder surface or a combination of factors. Recurring damp marks, a mouldy smell or wet corners are reasons to investigate the cause rather than simply wipe the surface.
What should I check about apartment-building refurbishment?
Request owners' meeting records, the approved investment plan, the project's current stage, construction contracts or loan documents where available, and the payments allocated to the apartment. Establish whether the amount is final, what support has been applied and how the purchase agreement will allocate the obligations.
What is the building's reserve fund, and why does it matter?
Owners contribute to this fund to maintain and renew the building’s shared areas and systems. Look beyond the monthly contribution to the accumulated balance, how it has been used and work that still lacks funding. Future roof, façade, pipework or lift repairs can change your costs.
Is winter the best time to view an apartment?
A winter viewing makes it easier to assess comfort, draughts, window condensation and heating performance, but one visit does not replace documents or a specialist inspection. When buying in summer, build a picture of winter conditions using bills, information from residents and technical records.
Does a refurbished building always mean lower costs?
Not always, and savings vary. Results depend on the measures installed, workmanship, system adjustment, energy prices and residents' behaviour. Refurbishment loan instalments may also add to monthly costs. Assess actual results rather than a promised percentage saving.
Which building documents should I obtain before the sale?
Useful records include energy certificate details, heating bills, a statement from the manager or owners' association, reserve fund and debt information, long-term and annual work plans, meeting records and refurbishment documents. Record important commitments clearly in the sale documents.