Roof, Facade, and Common-Area Repairs: Who Pays?

Common-Area Repair Concerns Everyone

Roof, facade, main walls, load-bearing system, and common installations — these are common areas, and their repair concerns all owners. The approach "the roof concerns the top floor, I am on the ground floor, I do not pay" is legally wrong. This is because the roof is a common structural element that protects the entire building; when it leaks, it puts not only the top floor but the entire building at risk.

How Is the Expense Shared?

Common-area repair expenses are, as a rule, shared according to the method in the management plan: by land-share ratio or equal share. An owner cannot avoid the common repair expense by saying, "I do not benefit from this area." We explained the definition of common area and expense sharing in detail in our what is a common area article.

The Top-Floor / Ground-Floor Debate

The most frequent argument is the claim that the top floor is "more concerned" with roof repair and the lower floors with basement/foundation repair. However, the law considers common structural elements to be the common responsibility of the entire building. The roof protects the entire building; the foundation supports the entire building. For this reason, common repairs are included in the expenses of all owners, not the relevant floor.

Major Repairs and the Reserve Fund

When large expenses such as roof renewal or facade repair arise unexpectedly, requesting a lump sum mid-year becomes difficult. For this reason, good managements set aside a reserve fund (repair fund) in the operating project. We covered how to plan this fund in our operating project article.

Decision and Quorum

Major repair decisions are taken by the board of unit owners. The majority required may vary according to the type of repair; some comprehensive works require a heavier majority. The decision being taken in accordance with proper procedure prevents later objections to payment. We explained board decision quorums in our board meeting article.

Common Mistakes

• Saying "it does not concern me": Common structural repair binds all owners.
• Not setting aside a reserve fund: A large repair creates a lump-sum trouble.
• Taking the decision improperly: If the quorum is skipped, objection to payment arises.

This content is for informational purposes. Repair expense sharing varies according to your management plan; obtain legal opinion if necessary.