Expense Sharing in Multi-Building Complexes: Block and General Common Expenses

Expense sharing in complexes consisting of multiple blocks is more complex than in a single apartment. The question "Does this expense belong only to our block, or does the whole complex pay?" often creates disputes. In multi-building complexes, expenses are shared at two levels. In this article, we explain this distinction.

What Is a Multi-Building Complex?

A multi-building complex is a residential community (complex) on one or more zoning parcels, containing multiple buildings (blocks) and with common places and facilities. Multi-building complexes are managed by the provisions of the Turkish Condominium Law relating to multi-building complexes. In such structures, management generally operates at two levels: the block level and the complex (multi-building) level.

Two Types of Common Expenses

In multi-building complexes, expenses are basically divided into two groups:

1. Block common expenses: These are expenses serving only that block. Example: elevator maintenance of that block, cleaning of the block entrance, the block\'s own stairwell lighting, repair of the block\'s roof. Only the independent unit owners in that block contribute to these expenses.

2. General common expenses (complex-wide): These are expenses of common places and facilities serving the entire complex. Example: complex security, main entrance and landscaping, common garden, social facility, pool, complex-wide lighting, general management expenses. All independent units in the complex contribute to these expenses.

Who Pays Which Expense?

The basic principle: Whichever area an expense serves, those who benefit from that area pay it. The entire complex does not pay only for one block\'s elevator; likewise, complex security is borne not by a single block but by the entire complex.

Making this distinction clearly is important because incorrect sharing creates unfairness and disputes. For example, residents of a block without an elevator do not contribute to the elevator maintenance expense of another block. The details and ratios of sharing are regulated in the complex\'s management plan; the management plan is the determining document on this matter.

The Role of the Management Plan

How expense sharing will be done in multi-building complexes largely depends on the management plan. The management plan may regulate which expenses will be considered block-level, which will be complex-wide, and whether sharing will be done by land-share ratio or equal share. For this reason, when an expense-sharing dispute arises in a complex, the first document to consult is the management plan.

Practical Difficulty: Multi-Layered Accounting

In multi-building complexes, an expense account must be kept for each block and one complex-wide account. A unit\'s dues generally consist of two components: "block share + complex-wide share." Tracking this manually, especially in large complexes with many blocks, increases the risk of error.

Summary

In multi-building complexes, expenses are divided into block common expenses and complex-wide common expenses. Whichever area an expense serves, those who benefit from that area pay it. The details of sharing are determined in the management plan. This multi-layered structure requires regular and separate accounting.

Distributing block and complex-wide expenses separately and with the correct ratios in multi-building complexes is laborious. Apt Yönet\'s multi-block management keeps each block\'s and the complex\'s expenses in separate accounts, automatically calculating the correct dues per unit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does everyone pay every expense in the complex?

No. The block expense is paid only by that block, and the complex-wide expense by the entire complex. Whichever area the expense serves, those who benefit from there contribute.

Does a block without an elevator pay for another block\'s elevator expense?

No. Block elevator maintenance is that block\'s common expense; other blocks do not contribute.

What determines expense sharing?

The complex\'s management plan is decisive; it regulates the block/general distinction and the sharing basis.

Why does the dues consist of two components?

It generally consists of the sum of the block common expense share and the complex-wide common expense share.

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This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Your complex\'s management plan should be taken as the basis.