What makes up the property management fee

It isn’t one line item. The management fee is the sum of several completely different jobs, which is exactly why it’s hard to compare between buildings.

First group, sanitation. Cleaning stairwells and the courtyard, mowing the lawn, clearing leaves and snow. In most buildings this is the largest item.

Second, technical oversight. The technical supervisor who inspects the building and plans work, plus maintenance of engineering systems.

Third, the emergency service. Round-the-clock readiness, even in the months when nobody calls.

Fourth, administration. Accounting, invoicing, contracts with service providers, legal support.

Fifth, keeping the building file. Documents, surveys, meeting minutes, reports.

Sixth, reserves and the technical budget. Money for future work. This isn’t payment for a service, it stays with the building.

What to take from this. When comparing offers, compare what’s included, not a single number. Two identical figures with different content mean a completely different experience of living in the building.