A new era for maintenance fee increases

A newly prepared legislative regulation concerns residents who have been complaining about high maintenance fee increases. The amendment, which will prevent fee hikes without the consent of apartment owners, has been approved by the TBMM Committee on Public Works, Reconstruction, Transportation, and Tourism. Committee Chairman and Trabzon Deputy Adil Karaismailoğlu touched upon the details of the new regulation in his statement.

Drawing attention to the importance of rapid urbanization, housing safety, and measures against disasters across the country, Karaismailoğlu emphasized that laws and regulations are being updated within the framework of current needs. He stated that the work aims to ensure citizens live in safer buildings and to raise the standards of urban life.

In his assessment regarding the risks of Turkey being located in an earthquake zone, Karaismailoğlu said, "The February 6 earthquakes were a very significant lesson. Hopefully, we are taking important measures so that we do not experience this painful lesson again. We had previously implemented facilitating laws regarding the strengthening and renewal of our structures. Our draft law, which we have re-prepared according to current developments, has passed the committee. Hopefully, it will come to the agenda of the General Assembly in a short time."

Stating that the new legislative proposal will bring innovations to the Land Registry Law and contribute to the resolution of problems related to cooperatives, Karaismailoğlu also pointed to regulations in security areas such as fire safety codes. He also noted that the aim is to provide support for the massive 500,000-housing project being carried out under the leadership of TOKİ across the country.

RESTRICTIONS ON ASTRONOMICAL MAINTENANCE FEES

Stating that the unjustified and high increases in site maintenance fees have recently received a major backlash from citizens, Karaismailoğlu said that such grievances will be prevented with the new law. He shared the details of the new era with the following words: "There were maintenance fee increases regarding site fees without the knowledge of those living on the site, and there were truly astronomical figures in site maintenance fees. A site maintenance fee is something related to the total expenses incurred at that site. From now on, maintenance fees can be increased or payments related to site fees will be made only after the site residents accept the breakdown of expenses and work related to the site. Therefore, they will no longer be able to raise fees without the justification for site maintenance fees being well explained and these being compiled in an up-to-date manner and the approval of those living on the site being obtained. I hope and estimate that such problems and complaints will decrease significantly from now on."