The dues fee is a monthly fee paid to cover common expenses in public living spaces. This fee applies to different types of properties, including residences, condominiums and workplaces. The dues are paid by the flat owners or tenants according to the land share ratio specified in the title deed of the property.
Factors Affecting the Dues Fee:
There are many factors that affect the dues cost. Some of these are those:
• Common Use Areas: The number and diversity of common use areas on the site, such as swimming pool, gym, sauna and parking lot, increases the membership fee.
• Management Expenses: Site management expenses such as salary expenses, insurance premiums, cleaning and garden maintenance also affect the membership fee.
• Building Security: Measures for building security such as 24/7 security service and camera surveillance system increase the fee.
• Heating and Cooling Systems: Fees are higher in buildings with central heating or cooling systems.
• Location of the Region: The dues fee varies depending on the location and development level of the region where the site is located.
Calculation of Dues Fee:
The dues fee is generally calculated according to the land share ratio. Land share is the ratio of the independent section in a building to the total land area. The land share rate specified in the title deed is used as the basis for calculating the membership fee.
On some sites, the dues fee may be set as a fixed fee. In this case, the same fee is charged from each independent section.
Payment of Dues Fee:
The dues must be paid by a date determined by the site management, usually every month. If payment is not made, legal sanctions may be imposed on flat owners.
Usage of Dues Fee:
The dues fee is used by the site management to cover common expenses. These expenses may include:
• Administrative expenses
• Insurance premiums
• Cleaning and garden maintenance
• Elevator maintenance
• Heating and cooling expenses
• Operating expenses of common areas such as pools and gyms
• Repair and renovation expenses
Legal Regulations Regarding Dues Fee:
Legal regulations regarding the dues fee are included in the Condominium Law. According to this law, the membership fee is determined by the flat owners’ board and is paid by all flat owners equally or according to their land shares.
Things to Consider About Dues Fee:
• You can look at your title deed and site management plan to find out the amount you are obliged to pay.
• You have the right to learn what the dues fee is used for. The site management is obliged to provide information on how the membership fee is used.
• You can compare the dues fees of different sites to make sure that the dues are at a reasonable level.
• In order to increase or change the dues fee, the flat owners’ board must hold a meeting and the necessary decisions must be taken by majority vote.
