Condominium expenses are the current expenses that condominiums must pay for the proper functioning of the condominium.

There are 2 load categories:

• General expenses. They concern the administration, preservation and maintenance of common areas (e.g. trustee's fees, general meeting expenses, cleaning of common areas, household waste removal costs, facade repairs, roof repairs)
• Special charges. They concern public services and common equipment (e.g. babysitting, cleaning service, security system, maintenance of the collective boiler and elevator, installation of a television antenna)

It's the co-ownership rules which divides the building's expenses between these two categories.

Condominium charges should not be confused with provisions which are the amounts paid or payable pending final balance after approval of the accounts of the condominium pool.

Condominium charges should also not be confused with advances intended to constitute reserves.

The distribution depends on the nature of the loads: general or special.

Each year, the co-owners vote one provisional budget general meeting to meet current expenses (general or special expenses).

In principle, the co-owner pays the co-ownership charges. However, there are some peculiarities in some cases.

The payment of expenses is made by payment of provisions.

The recovery of costs is the responsibility of the joint-ownership trustee. Thus, the trustee must ensure that the co-owners pay their share of expenses.

The trustee assumes his responsibility by not taking the necessary steps to claim the expenses due by the co-owners.

Yes, the change in the distribution of the burdens can be decided at the general meeting of the co-owners or by recourse to the judge in case of dispute.

Change of charges: vote in general meeting

In principle, the decision to change the burden-sharing between the co-owners must be adopted at the general meeting by a unanimous vote. However, there are 4 cases where only a majority is required:

• Works or acts of acquisition or arrangement necessitating a change in the distribution of the loads
• Change of use of private parts
• Batch Division
• Establishment of a secondary trade union

Modification of charges: recourse to the courts

It is possible to challenge before the court of law of the place where the building is located, the distribution of the charges provided for in the condominium by making a action for review charges or, where the apportionment is not in accordance with the law, a invalidity proceedings.