What can residents do about high maintenance fee

A recent CNA report revealed a dispute over rising maintenance fees at Dairy Farm Residences, where owners claim the fees increased significantly beyond what was initially advertised. With maintenance fees being a common concern among condominium residents, what can owners do if they face similar issues? In this discussion, Singapore Today speaks with Professor Sumit Agarwal, from NUS Business School, to explore how residents can respond to rising maintenance costs.

Understanding Your Maintenance Fees

Professor Agarwal explains the factors that contribute to condominium maintenance fees and why they might increase over time. He also highlights the importance of reviewing the condo’s financial management to ensure transparency in how fees are calculated and spent.

Steps Residents Can Take

If residents feel their fees are unjustified, Professor Agarwal suggests steps such as forming resident committees, reviewing financial statements, or requesting detailed breakdowns of expenditures from the management. In more severe cases, legal action may be considered, but collective resident efforts can often resolve disputes through communication and negotiation.

This episode offers practical advice for condo owners who are concerned about rising maintenance fees and wish to ensure their payments are justified.