Condominium costs are a silent source of expense and conflict for landlords. Knowing which fees you pay, what you can charge to the tenant and what rules to impose in the lease avoids surprises.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- The condominium is a silent source of costs and conflicts for landlords.
- Ordinary fees and extraordinary assessments are, as a rule, the owner’s responsibility.
- Some running costs can be passed on to the tenant, if the lease provides for it.
- Including in the lease the obligation to comply with the condominium rules is the simplest way to avoid disputes.
The problem
Many landlords ignore the condominium until they receive an extraordinary assessment or a noise complaint about their tenant. Without clear rules in the lease, the landlord ends up caught between two fires: the building management and the tenant.
What to distinguish
- Ordinary fees (quotas ordinárias) — day-to-day running costs, typically paid by the owner.
- Extraordinary assessments (derramas extraordinárias) — major works, generally paid by the owner.
- Usage charges — some can be passed on to the tenant, if the lease provides for it.
- Condominium regulations — rules on noise, pets and common areas that the tenant must respect.
Protect yourself in the lease
Include in the lease the tenant’s obligation to comply with the condominium regulations and make clear which charges can be passed on to them. It is the simplest way to avoid future disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hold the tenant liable for damage to the common areas?
If it is caused by the tenant or their visitors, yes; the regulations and the lease should expressly provide for that liability.
