Apartment maintenance, or service charges, are regular fees paid to maintain an apartment building's shared areas and facilities. These charges may cover cleaning, security, lifts, common electricity, gardens, water pumps and building management. But the services included can vary by building. Personal bills and other private expenses may not be included. Before purchasing or renting an apartment, request a written list of the charges and what they cover.
Quick takeaway: Don't request only, "What is the monthly maintenance?" Question: "How is it calculated, what does it include, and what other building fees will I have to pay?"
What Are Apartment Maintenance and Service Charges?
Apartment maintenance and service charges are regular payments residents make to support the running and maintenance of shared areas and facilities in an apartment building or housing project.
These charges may cover things like cleaning common areas, running lifts, security, shared electricity, water pumps, landscaping and building management.
Charges can vary from one apartment project to another. A small building with basic services may have lower prices. A big project with lifts, a gym, a swimming pool, backup systems and more security may have higher or different charges.
|
Expense |
Often Included? |
Buyer Should Check |
|
Common-area cleaning |
Often |
How frequently and what areas are cleaned |
|
Security |
Often |
Number of staff and services provided |
|
Lift care |
Often |
Consistent servicing or replacement prices |
|
Common-area electricity |
Often |
Whether backup power charges are separate |
|
Landscaping |
Where applicable |
Which areas are maintained |
|
Building management |
Frequently |
Who manages the building and what services are provided |
|
Apartment electricity |
Typically separate |
Meter reading and billing |
|
Internet/TV |
Usually separate |
Service provider and package |
|
Repairs inside the apartment |
Typically separate |
Whether the owner or tenant pays |
|
Major one-time work |
Differs |
Whether special charges can be added |
"Often included" does not mean it is always included. If you have previously bought or rented an apartment, check the project's written terms and the latest schedule of charges. You can ask for a clear list of the services covered by the charges.
What Is Usually Included in Apartment Maintenance Charges?
Most maintenance charges cover shared areas and services in an apartment building. They typically don't cover the private use of your apartment.
Common-Area Services
These charges may cover the everyday work required to keep shared areas clean, safe and usable. They can include:
- Cleaning corridors, entrances, lobbies and other shared areas
- Security guards or security systems
- Electricity for common-area lights
- Waste collection
- Gardening and landscaping
- Building management staff
For example, if all residents use the same entrance, lift lobby, corridor, or parking area, residents may share the cost of cleaning and maintaining these areas.
Building and Equipment Maintenance
Maintenance charges may also cover the ongoing care and repair of shared building systems and equipment. These may include:
- Lift care and servicing
- Water pumps
- Shared water systems
- Electrical systems used in common areas
- Generators or other backup systems, if accessible
- Repairs to common areas
- Maintenance of shared services, such as gyms or swimming pools
The number of services in a building can affect its maintenance prices. A building with several lifts, a gym, a swimming pool, strong security, central systems, and large landscaped areas may have higher shared prices than a smaller building with only basic services.
A higher maintenance charge is not always unreasonable. The key thing is to know what the charge covers and what services you are paying for.
What Is Usually Not Included?
Your monthly maintenance fee doesn't always cover all apartment costs. Some personal expenses, repairs, and other costs may be charged separately. The exact charges depend on the building's agreement, rules and fee list.
Common expenses that may not be included are:
Electricity: Electricity used inside your apartment may be charged separately.
Gas: Your household's gas bill is typically separate.
Internet and TV: Internet, cable, and TV services are usually paid separately.
Personal housekeeping: Cleaning inside your apartment is typically not included.
Internal repairs: Plumbing and electrical repairs inside your apartment may be your responsibility.
Appliance repairs: Repairing ACs, water heaters, refrigerators or other appliances may cost extra.
Renovation work: Painting, remodelling, new fixtures and other changes inside your apartment may be charged separately.
Taxes and insurance: Property taxes or personal insurance may not be included.
Parking: Some buildings charge a separate parking fee.
Generator use: The building may maintain the generator, but your apartment's electricity use may be charged separately.
Major repairs: Big building repairs may require a separate one-time payment.
Pakistan has no single list of included and excluded charges for every apartment. The sale agreement, lease agreement, building rules, or current fee list should clarify which costs you must pay. For tenants, these costs may be split differently between the owner and tenant. The tenancy agreement should clearly state who pays the maintenance and other charges.
Before buying or renting, request a written list of all regular and additional charges. This can help you avoid surprising prices later.
How Are Apartment Maintenance Charges Calculated?
Apartment maintenance charges can be calculated in different ways. Knowing how they're calculated helps you understand how much you need to pay each month.
Fixed Monthly Charge
Some buildings charge the same amount each month. For example, an apartment may have a maintenance fee of PKR 15,000 per month, no matter how large the apartment is. Check whether this amount is the same for all apartments or depends on the unit type.
Per-Square-Foot Charge
Some buildings charge based on apartment size. For example:
1,200 sq ft × PKR 25 = PKR 30,000 per month
Question: Which area is used for the calculation? It could be the carpet, covered, saleable, or super area.
Other Charges
Some buildings charge different amounts for different apartment sizes. Water, backup power, parking, and other services may also have separate charges. This means your maintenance fee may not be your full monthly building price.
Maintenance Charges vs Utilities, Sinking Funds and Special Assessments
Maintenance charges are not the only prices you may pay for an apartment. Some costs are separate from the consistent monthly maintenance fee. Knowing the difference in charges can help you understand your total costs.
Routine maintenance/service charge: Covers regular costs such as cleaning, security, lifts and common-area maintenance.
Utility charges: May include electricity, gas, water and backup power, depending on how the building charges residents.
Sinking/reserve fund: Money saved for big future building costs, if the building has such a fund.
Special assessment/one-off charge: An additional payment for major work, such as lift replacement, exterior repairs, waterproofing, generator replacement or major common-area repairs.
Your monthly maintenance fee shows your regular cost, but it may not cover all future building costs. Before you sign, ask about reserve funds and any possible additional charges
Compare the True Monthly Cost, Not Just the Maintenance Rate
When renting apartments, don't look only at the maintenance fee. A lower fee may not always mean lower costs, as you may have to pay further for backup power, parking, security, gym use or other services. When you buy earlier, ask building management for a full list of monthly and regular charges. Check whether these charges are fixed or may rise later.
Add the apartment price, maintenance, utilities, backup power, parking and other regular fees together. This will help you understand the true monthly cost of living in the apartment and compare different buildings more accurately.
What Should You Ask Before Buying or Renting an Apartment?
Before you book, purchase, or rent an apartment, ask the seller or building management about all maintenance and service charges. It's better to get this info in writing.
Check the following:
- What is the existing monthly maintenance fee?
- How is the fee calculated?
- Is the fee fixed, based on apartment size, or partly based on usage?
- If the fee is charged per square foot, which area is used for the calculation?
- What services does the fee include?
- Which utility bills must be paid separately?
- Are backup-generator charges separate?
- Is parking included in the fee?
- Do you have to pay further for the gym, pool, club or other services?
- Is there a sinking or reserve fund charge?
- Have residents recently paid additional for major repairs or other special work?
- Can the maintenance fee increase in the future? If yes, how?
- Who manages the building or project?
- Under the rental agreement, which charges must the owner pay and which must the tenant pay?
- Can you get a recent maintenance or service-charge bill for the same apartment?
For buyers, there is one more key question:
Does the seller have any unpaid maintenance charges on the apartment?
Make sure you check for any unpaid charges before ownership is transferred. This can help you avoid complications or disputes over old bills after purchasing the apartment.
Final Takeaway
In conclusion, apartment maintenance and service charges can raise your monthly housing price. These charges may cover services such as cleaning, security, lifts, lighting, landscaping and building management. Other fees may be charged separately. If you're already buying or renting, check the monthly fee, how it is calculated, and what it covers. Also ask about extra charges, one-time fees and possible future increases. Always ask for the latest written list of charges. If possible, check out a recent bill for the same apartment from earlier when making your final choice.
Learn more: Difference Between a Housing Society and a Cooperative Housing Scheme in Pakistan