In short
- The management fee covers upkeep: cleaning, maintenance, emergency service and the manager's work.
- You pay it per square metre of the flat, and the owners approve the amount.
- Savings for repairs are often a separate line on the bill.
- A very low fee can mean nothing is being done in the building.
What the management fee per m² is
In a block of flats the common property belongs to all owners: the roof, stairwell, basement and pipes. Someone has to look after it, usually a building manager (apsaimniekotājs) or the owners' own association. You pay for this work through the management fee, charged per square metre of your flat.
The law sets out mandatory management tasks, such as cleaning the building, technical upkeep and arranging heat, water and electricity for the common property. The flat owners decide how these are financed and how much they cost.
What the fee usually covers
- Cleaning the stairwell and grounds, clearing snow
- Technical maintenance and inspection of the building
- Emergency service
- Maintenance of the heat substation and building services
- Accounting, bills and building paperwork
- The manager's fee
How much management costs
The amount differs between buildings and towns. It depends on the building's size and age, what services it orders and the manager. In a large building costs are spread over more square metres; in a small one you usually pay more per m².
To see what the fee means for you, multiply it by the floor area. A worked example with a made-up amount: at 0.50 € per m², a 50 m² flat pays 25 € a month, or 300 € a year. Add savings and a renovation loan, and the total per m² can be several times higher.
Compare not just the amount but what you get for it. A clean stairwell, quickly fixed emergencies and tidy building records are worth more than a few cents per square metre.
A low fee is not always good news
If the fee is very low and there are no savings, the building may not have been repaired for years. When big repairs come, owners will have to pay at once or take out a loan.
A high fee may mean the building is saving actively or paying off a renovation loan. That is fine if you can see results. Ask what exactly the amount covers and what is planned for the next few years.
What to ask before buying
- The management fee and savings charge per m²
- How much money is in the building's savings fund
- Whether the building owes money to the manager or the heat supplier
- Which repairs are planned and what they will cost each owner
- Whether the flat has unpaid bills
Common questions
Who decides the management fee?
The flat owners decide together on the building's upkeep and how to pay for it. The manager proposes a budget.
Is heating included in the management fee?
Usually not. Heating is a separate line on the bill.
Why is the fee higher in a small building?
Fixed costs, such as emergency service and accounting, are spread over fewer square metres.
Can owners change the building manager?
Yes, the owners decide this at a general meeting or by a written vote. For the detailed procedure, a lawyer can help if needed.
Sources
- Dzīvojamo māju pārvaldīšanas likums · Likumi.lv
This article is for information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. It may contain mistakes or be out of date, so check it against official sources or with a specialist before you decide. m²cena accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information in this article.