Condominium expenses in Portugal are generally divided among condominium owners based on the permillage of their fractions, i.e., the proportion of the fraction’s value relative to the total value of the building. This method is considered fair because it reflects each fraction’s participation in the common parts of the building. However, there are some nuances and possibilities of different approaches:
Division Based on Permillage
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Proportionality:
Common expenses, such as elevator maintenance, cleaning, electricity for common areas, and other services, are divided proportionally to each condominium owner’s fraction value. This means that larger fractions pay a larger portion of expenses.
Alternative Divisions
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Equal Distribution:
Condominium owners may decide, in a meeting, to divide some expenses equally, regardless of permillage. This may be applied to services that benefit everyone equally, such as security or garden maintenance. To implement this form of division, approval by a majority of condominium owners representing the majority of the total building value is required.
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Exclusive Use Expenses:
Expenses related to common parts that serve exclusively some condominium owners (such as stairs or elevators that only serve certain floors) are paid only by those condominium owners.
Additional Considerations
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Condominium Owners’ Meeting:
Decisions on how to divide expenses are made at a condominium owners’ meeting, where active participation of all is important to ensure that decisions reflect the consensus and needs of the community.
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Common Reserve Fund:
In addition to regular expenses, condominium owners contribute to a common reserve fund, generally with 10% of the value of their quotas, intended to cover building conservation and maintenance expenses.
These rules aim to ensure equitable and efficient management of condominium expenses, promoting adequate maintenance of common parts and harmonious coexistence among condominium owners.