Common expenses are one of the most frequently asked questions PREMO receives from owners and tenants. What exactly do they include? How is the amount calculated for each apartment? And what happens if you disagree with the bill?
What Are Common Expenses — Legal Definition
According to Law 3741/1929, common expenses cover the costs for the operation and maintenance of the building’s shared parts: staircase, elevator, entrance, basement, roof terrace, central heating, etc. Every co-owner is obliged to contribute to these costs.
Categories of Common Expenses
Energy Consumption
- Electricity for common areas (staircase lighting, entrance, basement)
- Elevator electricity consumption
- Central heating (fuel, boiler maintenance)
Services
- Cleaning of common areas
- Security (if a concierge or security service is in place)
- Waste management
- Garden maintenance
Maintenance & Repairs
- Elevator maintenance (mandatory service contract)
- Pool maintenance
- Repairs to faults in shared installations
- Licensing and technical inspections
Insurance & Miscellaneous
- Building insurance
- Manager’s fee
- Administrative expenses
How Are Common Expenses Calculated?
The apportionment of common expenses is based on three main methods:
By Ownership Thousandths
The most common method. Each apartment has a number of thousandths defined in the building’s Regulations, reflecting its share of the co-ownership. The larger the apartment, the more thousandths it holds, and therefore the greater its contribution to common expenses.
Per Capita / by Number of Residents
For certain expenses (e.g. water), apportionment may be applied per person or per household size. This requires a General Meeting decision.
Mixed Apportionment
Many buildings use a combination: heating costs are split by thousandths, while cleaning is charged equally per apartment. This system can be defined in the Regulations.
Who Checks the Bills?
Every owner has the right to request an itemised statement of expenses from the manager. PREMO provides real-time digital access through its online platform, where owners can view all receipts and charges in detail.
What Happens If You Disagree with the Bill?
If you believe the apportionment is incorrect, the first step is to request an itemised statement from the manager. If the disagreement persists, you can request that it be discussed at the next General Meeting. In extreme cases, arbitration or recourse to the courts is available.