Elevator Use and Fault Responsibility

The Elevator Is a Common Area

The elevator is one of the building's common installations and is the common responsibility of all owners. Regardless of the floor they live on, every owner contributes to the elevator's maintenance and repair expenses. Saying "I do not go up to the upper floor, I do not use the elevator" does not eliminate the common expense obligation; because the elevator is a common value and a safety element of the building.

Maintenance Obligation

The elevator is a system that requires regular maintenance and is critical in terms of safety. A periodic maintenance contract and an annual inspection by authorized institutions are a legal requirement. The performance of these maintenance and inspections is the manager's responsibility; neglecting them creates both a safety risk and legal liability. We covered the manager's maintenance responsibilities in detail in our elevator, fire, and generator maintenance article.

Who Pays for the Fault Expense?

Elevator failure or repair is a common expense; all owners contribute using the land-share ratio or equal-share method. Major repairs (such as motor replacement) may be in the nature of capital items and are generally the responsibility of the owners. We explained the distinction between capital-item and advance expenses in our capital-item and advance article.

Annual Inspection and Safety

The annual periodic inspection of elevators by authorized inspection institutions is mandatory. The inspection result (green, yellow, red label) indicates the safety status of the elevator. A red-labeled (unsafe) elevator must be taken out of service. Monitoring these inspections and acting on their results is the manager's duty.

Usage Rules

Proper use of the elevator (respecting the carrying limit, caution when transporting items, not allowing children to use it alone) is important for both safety and the equipment's lifespan. Management may determine and announce elevator usage rules. Damage arising from misuse may be evaluated within the scope of violation of usage rules.

Common Mistakes

• Neglecting maintenance: Lack of regular maintenance creates safety risk and legal liability.
• Skipping annual inspection: Periodic inspection is a legal requirement.
• Saying "I don\'t use it": Every owner contributes to the elevator common expense.

This content is for informational purposes. Consult authorized institutions and a legal advisor for elevator legislation and inspection processes.